NIHCM Newsletter / December 2024
Shifting Obesity Rates
Source
- 1: GBD 2021 US Obesity Forecasting Collaborators, "National-level and state-level prevalence of overweight and obesity among children, adolescents, and adults in the USA, 1990–2021, and forecasts up to 2050," The Lancet, November 2024
- 2: Emmerich SD, Fryar CD, Stierman B, Ogden CL, "Obesity and severe obesity prevalence in adults: United States, August 2021–August 2023," National Center for Health Statistics, September 2024
Obesity and Health
The latest on rates, impact, and strategies for prevention.
- Outlook: Obesity rates in the US remain high, with substantial variation by state, race, and ethnicity. A recent analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that obesity rate growth may have plateaued in recent years, though rates of severe obesity continued to rise. Another study, published in JAMA Health Forum, found a slight decline in obesity rates in 2023 and suggested that the decrease could be due, in part, to GLP-1 weight loss drugs. A new study in The Lancet examined the sharp increase in obesity rates between 1990 and 2021 and projected the potential impact by 2050 if obesity rates were to continue to grow.
- Health Care Costs: High obesity rates are contributing to higher rates of chronic disease and increased health care spending. Obesity-related health care spending is estimated to reach $385 billion in 2024, but new research shows that a reduction in body mass index among adults is associated with lower health care spending.
- Role of GLP-1s: Evidence shows nearly 137 million people would be eligible for the anti-obesity medication, semaglutide, underscoring the need to address the high cost of the therapy while ensuring equitable access. In a separate study, the use of the weight loss drug tirzepatide (Zepbound), was found to reduce diabetes risk in obese and prediabetic patients by 90%, which may also contribute to lower rates of overall chronic disease.
- Access to Weight-Loss Drugs: The Biden administration proposes expanding coverage of anti-obesity medication for 7.5 million people covered by Medicare and Medicaid. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering removing the shortage status of Wegovy, which may stop compounding pharmacies from creating less expensive copies.
- Preventing Weight Gain: New research explains why it may be tough to keep weight off. Increased intake of ultra-processed foods also contributes to weight gain, but new policies to support reduced consumption may help.
Resources & Initiatives
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill partner to pair patients with community pharmacists to increase access to care, specifically serving people with diabetes and hypertension.
- Elevance Health improves health by linking food assistance to medical support as part of their Food As Medicine approach.
- NIHCM Journalism Grantee, Sophie Putka, reports on the frequency of weight-loss drug use in kids.
- The Congressional Budget Office examines the impact of authorized Medicare coverage of weight loss drugs on the federal budget.
- The United States Department of Agriculture provides the status of food security in the US.
- The CDC shares strategies for reducing obesity.
Maternal & Infant Health
Barriers to better maternal and infant health continue in the US.
- Maternal and Infant Health Gaps: Maternal and infant health disparities persist in the US, with Black, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiin or Pacific Islander women facing higher rates of pregnancy-related deaths, preterm births, low birthweight babies, and infant mortality compared to White women. These disparities are driven by a range of economic and social factors, and are often more pronounced in rural and medically underserved communities.
- Obstetric Care in Rural Areas: A new study found that over 500 hospitals have closed labor and delivery units since 2010, leaving more than 50% of rural hospitals without obstetric care. Many rural residents now live in “maternity care deserts” and face longer travel times, delayed care, and worse maternal and infant health outcomes.
- Workforce Challenges: There is a projected shortage of obstetricians and gynecologists by 2037. Doulas may help address these workforce gaps by supporting care, with evidence suggesting improved outcomes such as lower cesarean delivery and preterm birth rates and higher postpartum care attendance, particularly among Medicaid populations.
- Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Maternal Health: A recent study found that 1 in 20 women reported IPV during pregnancy, with emotional IPV being the most common form. IPV during pregnancy is associated with delayed care, as well as increased risks of depression, substance use, and adverse birth outcomes.
Resources & Initiatives
- March of Dimes, in partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and the Memorial Hermann Health System, launched a maternal health mobile care center to provide services to underserved communities in the Houston area.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts launched a doula pilot program with Accompany Doula Care to address racial inequities and improve maternity and birthing care in the state.
- Northwestern Medicine, Brown University and California Polytechnic State University are part of a new nationwide study to examine whether medically tailored meals can help address the rise in gestational diabetes mellitus.
- The US Department of Health and Human Services is raising awareness of the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-TLC-MAMA).
Staying Healthy During the Holidays
Infectious disease rates rise during the season. Here are the risks experts see this year:
- COVID-19 & Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): The CDC warns RSV and COVID-19 may spike before Christmas. Additionally, new research shows the health toll and costs of RSV infections and hospitalizations. Research reveals 1 in 5 people could have long COVID and that it is worse for younger and middle-aged adults.
- Vaccinations: New reports from the CDC show low vaccination rates for flu, COVID-19, and RSV this season, even in nursing homes. The FDA approved expanded use of two RSV vaccines, but CDC advisors are waiting to recommend the vaccines to younger, high-risk groups. In a Pew Research survey, 60% of Americans say they probably will not get an updated COVID-19 vaccine.
- Bird Flu: Scientists are concerned about a case of bird flu in a Canadian teen because it has mutated, easing its ability to spread and infect humans. As of January 2nd, there have been 66 confirmed and reported cases of bird flu in the US. The USDA has begun testing milk in bulk quantities in order to find bird flu outbreaks among dairy cattle.
- Whooping Cough: Cases of whooping cough (pertussis), are surging in various regions of the US. Experts state the rise in cases is driven by the return to pre-pandemic patterns and low vaccination rates.
Resources & Initiatives
- The CDC provides resources on how to reduce your risk from respiratory viruses this holiday season.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan explains the importance of getting the Flu and COVID-19 vaccine.
- The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine releases a report calling for more research on bird flu.
- The CDC identifies existing trends in pertussis cases.
