STOP Obesity Alliance, Based at the Redstone Center, Releases New Obesity Coverage Study & Interactive Maps

On November 14, 2018, the STOP Obesity Alliance presented new research at Obesity Week, which assessed coverage of obesity prevention and treatment in state Medicaid and state employee health insurance plans. In addition, STOP developed interactive maps to enable easy state-to-state comparisons, which include state adult obesity and diabetes rates, coverage specifics in Medicaid and state employee health plans, and printable state fact sheets. The new research found coverage of three recommended types of treatment -- nutritional counseling, medications, and bariatric surgery -- generally improved over the last decade. Nonetheless, state coverage is often piecemeal and inconsistent, and barriers exist within plans that prevent people with obesity from accessing evidence-based, effective treatments. The findings in the article, "Changes in Coverage for Obesity Prevention and Treatment Services: Analysis of Medicaid and State Employee Health Insurance Programs," were published online November 14, 2018 in the journal Obesity. The research was recognized for providing "the latest insights into preventing and treating obesity" as part of the Obesity Week Symposium at ObesityWeek 2018. Nichole Jannah, MPH (c), lead author, presented the findings at the symposium. ​Read the Milken Institute School of Public Health press release.