Washington, D.C. — While obesity afflicts individuals of all races and socioeconomic backgrounds, medically underserved populations—particularly minorities—suffer from some of the highest rates of overweight and obesity in the country. Community health centers (CHCs) serve as the primary medical providers for underserved and disadvantaged populations and could play a larger role in helping their communities address their weight and related chronic health conditions through medical services, counseling and education on opportunities to engage in healthier lifestyles. To do so, CHCs will need to have obesity-related services in place to address the needs of this growing population.
The Strategies to Overcome and Prevent (STOP) Obesity Alliance, in conjunction with the Geiger-Gibson Institute, will be hosting “Call to Conversation – Obesity and Health Centers” at the National Association of Community Health Centers 2011 Policy Issues Forum. The discussion will consider the large influx of new, adult patients CHCs are expected to serve following the expansion of Medicaid under health reform and examine the role that community health centers could play in addressing obesity and weight-related conditions with this community.
The STOP Obesity Alliance is a coalition of more than 50 member organizations that represent a wide range of consumer, labor, business, medical, government, insurance and quality-of-care.
When:
Saturday, March 26, 2011
10:30 am –12 pm: General Session
1-3 pm: “Call to Conversation: Obesity and Health Centers”
Where:
Marriott Wardman Park | Room: Washington 6
2660 Woodley Road NW | Washington, DC 20008
Who:
- Amanda Cash, MD, Public Health Analyst, Office of Planning and Evaluation, Research and Data Policy Group, Health Resources and Services Administration
- Matthew T. Burke, MD, Senior Clinical Advisor, Office of Quality and Data, Bureau of Primary Health Care, HRSA, DHHS
- Jay Breines, Executive Director, Holyoke Health Center
- Jessica Wallace, Physician Assistant, Coordinator, Unity Health Care, Inc.’s “We Can!” program
- Christine Ferguson, JD, Director, STOP Obesity Alliance
Contact:
Gina Mangiaracina
[email protected]
202-609-6003