By expanding and providing federal coverage of obesity medications and other proven treatments, Trump's administration would make a first, crucial step in helping stem obesity, hurting millions in America.
I spent over seven hours in the car driving one way to my most recent doctor's appointment. For many Americans, this may be shocking, but for those of us who live in rural areas, it's a way of life.
Far too often, rural Americans have been left behind by our healthcare system. This is especially true for those of us living with obesity, which affects many Americans in rural regions of the country. As the Trump administration sets out to make America healthier again, I ask that they keep communities like mine top of mind. There are policy opportunities on the table that would expand access to medications to treat obesity -- a win for patients in rural America and a win for the President's health agenda.
Obesity is a complex disease, caused by many factors, that affects millions of my fellow Americans. But its effects on those outside of our country's large cities and coasts deserve a deeper look. In almost half of the states, more than one in three adults has obesity, an increase from 2013.
The states with the highest prevalence, 40% or more, are Arkansas, Mississippi, and West Virginia. When you look at these states and others on the list, you may notice a theme - many have large rural populations. In fact, the prevalence of obesity among rural Americans is six times higher. Less than one in five Americans lives in these areas, but we face a larger share of the disease burden.
I have felt this impact firsthand through my own experience with obesity. I was officially diagnosed with the disease in 2001 and went through behavior therapy, medication, and bariatric surgery to manage my condition. Each step in this process was made more challenging simply because of my zip code. There were no specialists trained in treating obesity in my small Minnesota town. I would have to travel several hours to get the care I needed, and even then, it was often from a visiting physician. My local healthcare provider and specialists used different electronic medical record systems, putting the burden on me to keep my healthcare on track. So many others who are managing obesity share my experience and have faced persistent barriers to effective care. Even where access to specialists isn't a challenge, outdated policies put effective treatment options out of reach for patients who need and deserve them.
While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to solving the rural healthcare obesity crisis, we do have options on our path forward. We must improve physician retention in rural areas so that communities can build strong, long-term relationships with their provider. Patients and providers alike need the right technology to communicate with each other and other health systems.
Another critical path forward rests with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Earlier this month, the Trump administration did not move forward with a federal rule that would expand access to safe and effective treatments for obesity, which currently are difficult for millions of Medicare and Medicaid patients to access because of bureaucratic policy constraints. Despite this decision, a spokesperson shared that CMS may consider obesity medications in the future after further review. By providing coverage for obesity medications, the Trump administration can take a major step in preventing and treating obesity, which is also linked to heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some forms of cancer. This action would not only significantly impact people's lives, but would also affect the bottom line of our healthcare system.
Obesity costs the U.S. healthcare system almost $173 billion per year today.
I love the community that comes out of living in rural America, but it presents a host of challenges for those managing obesity. I encourage the Trump administration to stand up for rural Americans by ensuring that we can access safe and effective treatments. Any step we can take to expand access for rural Americans is a win and a move in the right direction.
Debera Gau is a member of the Obesity Action Coalition National Board of Directors.
Does dating ever feel challenging, awkward or frustrating?
Turn Your Dating Life into a WOW! with our new classes and live coaching.
Click here for more info or to buy with special launch pricing!
***
On Substack? Follow us there for more great dating and relationships content.
Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today.
All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. A complete list of benefits is here.