Why employers need to think differently about obesity

Obesity is the underlying cause of hundreds of health issues in women, yet is often seen as a character flaw, or completely overlooked within healthcare offerings. Employers have the power to change this damaging narrative.

The Alliance for Women's Health and Prevention's recently launched campaign, EveryBODY Covered, aims to change people's often negative impression of obesity to ensure it's an essential part of women's healthcare. Partnered with some of the leading organizations in women's wellness, the campaign promotes education and advocacy on the impacts of obesity to encourage employers, insurers and lawmakers to make comprehensive obesity care standard practice. 

"There's a stigma around obesity," says Millicent Gorham, CEO of AWHP. "We want women to be treated fairly, for their knowledge to be used well in the workplace, and for them to help their families and communities live their best lives. They can do that with the support of employers and policymakers who can make a difference."

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Affecting one out of three women and more likely to impact women of color, obesity is a chronic disease that can lead to serious conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and reproductive health challenges, according to AWHP. It can also have negative impacts on women's professional well-being: Data shows women with obesity are more likely to miss work, earn less money than their colleagues and are less likely to be promoted. 

"We want to empower women to have conversations with their employer about bias, about absenteeism, and what it means for the workplace when they are suffering from obesity and other directly-related conditions so [leaders] can better understand the need for comprehensive care," Gorham says. "Comprehensive care means intensive behavioral therapy, medical nutrition therapy, physical activity, surgery and anti-obesity medications."

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In addition to improving the overall health of employees, creating a comprehensive obesity care plan can dramatically reduce employers' healthcare spend and increase retention. A report from Global Data found overweight and obesity care cost employers nearly $90 billion last year, and research from the Obesity Action Coalition shows 44% of people with obesity would change coverage for better weight-related care, while half would stay in a job solely to maintain good coverage. 

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The EveryBODY Covered campaign is also a call to action for the healthcare needs of women on Medicaid and older women on Medicare, for whom obesity healthcare coverage may be minimal or nonexistent, says Gorham. Only 16 states' Medicaid programs currently offer access to weight-loss medications, and Medicare does not cover them at all. AWHP is currently working to get the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act passed by Congress, which will increase access to things like intensive behavioral therapy to Medicare recipients. 

"If we can stem the tide of obesity, we can possibly stem the tide of many other chronic diseases," Gorham says. "In the long run, this means less cost to the employer, the consumer and to our healthcare system overall."