In a recent open letter addressed to America’s employers, 68 organizations urged companies to cover obesity care just like any other chronic disease.

The letter was led by the Alliance for Women’s Health and Prevention and included participation from the Society for Women’s Health Research, the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions and several others. It’s part of a campaign that the Alliance for Women’s Health and Prevention (AWHP) launched last year called EveryBODY Covered, which aims to improve insurance coverage for obesity.

The organizations argued that comprehensive obesity coverage should include the “full range of evidence-based obesity care options,” including medical nutrition therapy, intensive behavioral therapy, surgery and medications.

The organizations added that when obesity isn’t treated, the condition costs employers about $425.5 billion annually.

“When coverage for obesity care isn’t available, patients are left to seek less safe alternatives or forego treatment altogether. … Covering obesity care also has the potential to help lower costs through reduced absenteeism, increased productivity and a healthier workforce,” the letter stated.

Currently, about half of employers cover or are considering covering medications for obesity. Just 22% of employers believe that obesity is a chronic condition that should receive coverage for obesity management medications.

Women, particularly women of color, are especially impacted by obesity, according to the letter. The disease is associated with several conditions that disproportionately affect women, including breast cancer and fertility issues. In addition, women living with obesity are often stigmatized in the work place, are less likely to get promoted and earn up to 12% less than females not affected by obesity.

The letter provided several recommendations for employers, including recognizing obesity as a chronic disease “with causes that include those outside of an individual’s control.” The organizations also called on employers to review their benefits offerings to find ways to better support obesity care in their health plans. 

In addition, employers should work against weight bias by educating employees about weight loss, using person-first language, creating an employee resource group and providing accommodations for those living with obesity.

“Employers have been making great strides in supporting employees living with obesity, and we want to see that momentum continue so that even more employees—and especially women—nationwide can access the care they need,” said Millicent Gorham, CEO of AWHP, in a statement. “Covering obesity care is about prevention. If you prioritize preventing breast cancer, heart disease, mental health issues or hundreds of other diseases, then you should also prioritize obesity care. Employees are eager for obesity to be treated like the chronic disease that it is.”

Photo: Jason Dean, Getty Images