Creating the Bill of Rights

Development of the Obesity Bill of Rights

The movement for an Obesity Bill of Rights began with a July 2022 report, A New Patient-Centered Obesity Action Agenda, that called for codifying a set of rights that every person with obesity should have to get needed information and the best care.

To determine what these rights should entail, NCL and NCOA cohosted four Healthy Weight Town Halls in 2023 where older adults and the health professionals who serve them made real the large divide between what people with obesity experience and what care clinicians provide. These insights identified the gaps where a fundamental set of rights will lead to improved care.

2023 Healthy Weight Town Hall Series

June 9 – Van Nuys, CA

ONEgeneration Senior Enrichment Center
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July 11 – Wilmington, DE

Wilmington Senior Center
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August 17 – Jackson, MS

New Horizon Church International
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August 22 – Oklahoma City, OK

The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Oklahoma Healthy Aging Initiative
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A Research-Driven Process Led to Consensus

With the town halls as a guidepost, NCL and NCOA undertook a thoughtful, research-driven process to finalize and release the Obesity Bill of Rights to the medical community and the public in January 2024.

Research

Assessed published research and health-related bills of rights to determine what language, content, and guarantees are necessary for people with chronic conditions to receive timely, effective care.

Insights

Reviewed town hall insights, produced a summary, and circulated the report to stakeholders for their comments, observations, and ideas.

Preliminary Draft

Used the research and town hall findings to prepare a preliminary draft of the bill of rights.

Expert Panel

Hosted a meeting of top experts to review the town hall findings, consider the implications for an Obesity Bill of Rights, and review the preliminary draft with feedback on ways to refine the document so it would drive meaningful change in obesity care.

Issue Bill of Rights

Revised the Obesity Bill of Rights, vetted this version with expert panel members, and drafted the final document. Issued the final version to medical and public health organizations, treatment centers, and health educators.