SWHR convened an interdisciplinary Obesity Policy Working Group of health care providers, researchers, patients and patient advocates, and health care policy leaders for a closed, roundtable meeting in February 2024. During the roundtable, the Working Group discussed the impact of obesity on women’s health, with an particular emphasis on the impact of obesity on cardiovascular disease, health care costs, and related health disparities.
The Working Group will inform a call to action highlighting initiatives to address scientific and policy issues that impact women with obesity.
Lydia Alexander, MD, FOMA, Fellow and Diplomate, Obesity Medicine Association
Mila Becker, JD, Chief Policy Officer, Endocrine Society
Colleen Barbero, PhD, MPPA, Model Lead, Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP), Division of Health Care Delivery, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation
Eliza Chin, MD, Executive Director, American Medical Women’s Association
Catherine Ferguson, Vice President of Federal Advocacy, American Diabetes Association
Christine Gallagher, MPAff, Research Project Director, STOP Obesity Alliance, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University
Millicent Gorham, PhD (Hon), MBA, FAAN, CEO, Alliance for Women’s Health and Prevention
Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, MD, MSc, MBA, Chair, Division of Preventive Cardiology; Professor of Medicine, Mayo Medical School
Kelsey Lang, MPP, Executive Director, US Health Policy and Reimbursement, Amgen
Martha Nolan, Senior Policy Advisor, HealthyWomen
Liz Paul, Obesity Action Coalition Board Member and Obesity Advocate
Margaret Rehayem, Vice President, National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions
Marilyn Ritholz, PhD, Senior Psychologist, Joslin Diabetes Center; Beth Israel Deaconess
Michele Tedder, MSN, RN, Obesity Action Coalition Board Member and Obesity Advocate
Tracy Zvenyach, PhD, Director of Policy Strategy and Alliances, Obesity Action Coalition
Support for this educational program has been provided by Novo Nordisk, Inc. SWHR maintains independence and editorial control over program development, content, and work products.