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STOP (About)

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About Us

 


 

 

The Strategies to Overcome and Prevent (STOP) Obesity Alliance is made up of a diverse group of business, consumer, government, advocacy, and health organizations dedicated to reversing the obesity epidemic in the United States. Drawing on the strengths of the collaborative, STOP conducts research, makes policy recommendations, and develops hands-on tools for providers, advocacy groups, policymakers, and consumers.
 

As STOP celebrates eleven years of making major strides in addressing obesity, we will continue to drive innovative practical strategies in obesity prevention, care, and treatment. Learn more about the STOP Obesity Alliance in our 2020 Annual Report.

Read about STOP’s past accomplishments in the 2019 Annual Report.

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Our Goals

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Lead Innovation

We will continue to lead and encourage innovation around treatment, intervention, and disease management through development and dissemination of best practices on the treatment and prevention of obesity. In addition to identifying and encouraging promising innovation, STOP will work to lead a broad base of stakeholders in establishing best practices for the care of individuals with overweight and obesity.

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Strengthen Systems of Care

We will promote the highest standard of care for patients with obesity by acknowledging and addressing factors that diminish quality of care, including inadequate provider training in obesity care, potential discomfort of weight-based discussions, and limited reimbursement for obesity-related prevention and treatment services.

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Convene Diverse Stakeholders

We will strive to continue our role in facilitating open dialogues between diverse groups of stakeholders. From the beginning, STOP has brought together a broad alliance of individuals and organizations to form a far-reaching system of researchers, clinicians, policymakers, advocates, and professionals.

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Define an Innovative Research Agenda

We will engage in an interdisciplinary research agenda based on the premise that obesity is the product of a complex interplay of biologic, genetic, behavioral, cultural, environmental, social, policy, and economic factors. STOP research will be cross-cutting, examining clinical practices, evidence-based strategies, health services and policy as they relate to obesity, and measurements of quality in obesity care.

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Promote Strategies to Increase Physical Activity

We will continue to encourage interventions and environments that support physical activity to improve health, independent of weight or weight loss, resulting in a healthier population. The Alliance will lend energetic support to strategies that promote active living and reduce periods of inactivity in order to increase positive health outcomes.

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Reduce Stigma to Improve Health Outcomes

We will continue to cultivate a positive environment by promoting awareness and open discussion among health professionals, opinion leaders, role models, and the public regarding the harmful impact of stigmatizing people with overweight and obesity. The work of STOP and its members will go beyond the role of personal responsibility to promote compassionate, unbiased care.

Our Team

Dr. William Dietz

Director

William Dietz, MD, PhD, serves as Director of the STOP Obesity Alliance and Chair of the Redstone Center, providing his wealth of obesity expertise to enhance and develop the Alliance's research, writing and initiatives. Dr. Dietz is a nationally recognized expert in nutrition, physical activity, and obesity with years of government and academic experience. 

Dr. Scott Kahan

Medical Director

Scott Kahan, MD, MPH, serves as Medical Director for the STOP Obesity Alliance, providing counsel and oversight for the Alliance's ongoing research, writing and initiatives. Dr. Kahan is a physician trained in both clinical medicine and public health. He is board-certified in Preventive Medicine, and his clinical practice specializes in weight management and obesity medicine.

Cristy Gallagher

Research Project Director

Cristy Gallagher, MPAff, serves as Research Project Director for the STOP Obesity Alliance, where she manages and coordinates research projects on obesity. Cristy has 20 years of experience working in Washington, DC, on health, human services, and education policy. 

Our History

2020

Developed and published resources related to obesity and COVID-19.

 

Published the Weight Can’t Wait Guide, a new guide for management of obesity in the primary care setting.

 

Launched new fact sheets, exploring topics like early life obesity, obesity in the workplace, weight stigma, racial disparities and obesity, COVID-19, food systems and obesity, and obesity and COVID-19.

 

2019

Curated a collection of curricular materials and tools aligned with the Obesity Care Competencies that support organizational efforts to bolster provider training and education on obesity.

 

Published a practical, tangible, measurable and simple standard of care for the treatment of adult obesity.

 

Launched a new, updated website, which includes information on past and present Alliance projects, an archive of recent newsletters, and a curated collection of our resources and research.

 

2018

Convened experts to assess the state of provider training and education on obesity

 

Began work to develop a consensus-based standard of care for adult obesity

 

Published analysis of obesity care coverage in Medicaid in state employee health insurance programs 

2017

Released first-ever obesity care competencies for health professionals

 

 

Published additional provider research from the 2016 DocStyles survey

 

2016

Hosted roundtables on obesity management and coverage

 

Partnered with National Quality Forum to initiate development of quality measures for obesity

 

2015

Launched Why Weight? Guide website with additional resources for providers

 

Launched National Obesity Care Week

 

Published providers research from the 2015 DocStyles survey

 

2014

Released Why Weight? Guide, a patient-provider dialogue guide to help initiate productive, respectful conversations about weight and health

 

 

2013

Published Obesity Drug Outcome Measures roundtable results

 

Created, developed, and piloted obesity clinical decision aid tool research

 

Released report on addressing obesity through community benefit activities in non-profit hospitals

 

2012

Convened roundtables with FDA to discuss obesity drug approval

 

Designed and conducted obesity patient risk survey

 

Released Weigh In: Talking to Your Children About Weight & Health

 

Added state-level memberships

2011

Released research report on gender and wage gaps attributable to obesity

 

Assembled Essential Health Benefits task force and made consensus recommendations to the Institute of Medicine and U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

 

2010

Launched national Task Force on Women

 

Conducted groundbreaking economic research on individual costs of obesity

 

Released first annual report on state Medicaid coverage of obesity

2009

Released national health reform recommendations

 

Launched National Employee Wellbeing Month

 

Hosted primary care roundtable on obesity care

 

Added associate-level memberships

 

2008

Released first set of policy recommendations

 

Conducted employer/employee survey

(published in Health Affairs)

 

Developed Obesity GPS for policymakers

2007

Launched STOP with founding sponsor Sanofi Aventis and 11 Steering Committee members

 

 
logo - STOP Strategies to Overcome and Prevent Obesity Alliance
logo - Milken Institute School of Public Health | The George Washington University | Summer M. Redstone Global Center for Prevention and Wellness

STOP Obesity Alliance

Milken Institute School of Public Health 
The George Washington University 
950 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
3rd Floor
Washington, DC 20052

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