State of Obesity 2022 Congressional Briefing and Webinar

 

November 30, 2022 • Briefing

This briefing explores the findings from TFAH’s recent report, which found obesity rates continue to climb nationwide and within population groups. 19 states had adult obesity rates at 35% or higher, up from 16 states the previous year. These persistent increases underscore that obesity is caused by a combination of factors including societal, biological, genetic, and environmental, which are beyond personal choice. Addressing the obesity crisis will require attending to the economic and structural factors of where and how people live.

Panelists discussed the latest data on obesity and its impacts, promising approaches to ensure healthier communities, and offered policy recommendations that can help all American lead healthier lives.

Resources:

Trust for America’s Health

The White House:

 

 

Panelists

  • Sara Bleich, PhD, Director of Nutrition Security and Health Equity, U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Dr. Sara Bleich is the Director of Nutrition Security and Health Equity in the Food and Nutrition Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), after serving as the Senior Advisor for COVID-19 in the Office of the Secretary at USDA (2021).
  • Cherylee Sherry, MPH, MCHES, Manager of Healthy Systems and Communities, Minnesota Department of Health
    Cherylee brings 40 years of leadership and program development experience in community health and health care to the Minnesota Department of Health.
  • Catherine Oakar, MPH
    Catherine Oakar serves as Special Assistant to the President for Public Health and Disparities at the White House.

Moderator

  • J. Nadine Gracia, MD MSCE, President &CEO, Trust for America's Health
    Dr. J. Nadine Gracia is the President and CEO of Trust for America’s Health (TFAH), a nonprofit, nonpartisan public health policy, research and advocacy organization that promotes optimal health for every person and community.