Osteoarthritis Action Alliance Lunch & Learn

Scott Kahan, MD, MPHDirectorSTOP Obesity AllianceFacultyGeorge Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services

Today’s Agenda

Introduction

Obesity & Osteoarthritis

About the STOP Obesity Alliance

What Interests Overlap in the Obesity and OA Communities?

Questions and Answers

Obesity Prevalence

3

Age in years

4 4

7

11

16

19

56

5

11

1617

0

5

10

15

20

1963-70 1971-74 1976-80 1988-94 1999-2000

2003-2004

%

6-11 12-19

Obesity & Osteoarthritis: What We Know

Excess weight has become one of the most pressing public health threats of the 21st century.― Overweight and obesity affect 2/3 of Americans.― Adults affected by obesity are most likely to report

joint pain, according to a national survey.

The high prevalence of obesity, especially severe obesity, is fueling an epidemic of osteoarthritis. ― Osteoarthritis affects 1 in every 10 adults age 25 &

older, and 1 in 3 adults age 65 & older – a total of 27 million Americans.

― OA is the 3rd leading cause of years lived with a disability in the U.S.

Source: Osteoarthritis Action Alliance, Background Facts on the Vicious Cycle of Obesity, Osteoarthritis (OA) and Disability

The Cycle of Obesity, Osteoarthritis and Disability

The risk of disability in people with OA increases with the degree of obesity.― A 2004 study showed that

persons with OA with obesity were 1.72 times more likely to be disabled than normal weight counterparts.

― The risk increases to 2.75 times higher among people with severe obesity.

Source: Osteoarthritis Action Alliance, Background Facts on the Vicious Cycle of Obesity, Osteoarthritis (OA) and Disability

Benefits of Modest Weight Loss

6 Messier SP, et al. Exercise and Dietary Weight Loss in Overweight and Obese Older Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis. Arthr Rheum 2004.

STOP Obesity Alliance: Purpose and Goal

• Convene a diverse, prestigious group of consumer, provider, government, labor, business, health insurer and quality-of-care organizations to find ways to overcome and prevent obesity and weight-related health issues.– Now more than SEVENTY-MEMBER Coalition

• Move beyond awareness and consumer education to identify and address systemic and cultural barriers that are failing to adequately support individual successes – Conduct and assemble research that identifies any

cultural and systemic biases– Develop and support research-based initiatives to

improve treatment and prevention– Make recommendations and promote needed systems

changes

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Stakeholders Working Together to Advance Weight-Related Issues

• 15 Alliance Steering Committee Members and Government Liaisons including:– American Diabetes & Heart Associations– American Health Insurance Plans– National Business Group on Health

• ~50 Associate Member Organizations including chronic disease, consumer, minority health, provider and women’s groups

• 8 State-Level Members

• George Washington University, Department of Health Policy serves as Academic Home

• 17th U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona, MD is Advisor

• Sanofi U.S. is founding sponsor

– The Obesity Society– Service Employees International Union– U.S. Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention

Core Policy Recommendations Underscore Alliance Objectives

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Redefine Success

Encourage Innovation

Reduce Stigma

Broaden the Research Agenda

Encourage Physical Activity

Explore the use of 5-10% percent sustained reduction of current weight as the measure of success for the purpose of determining whether treatment interventions and innovations are effective.

Consider innovative approaches for obesity treatment, intervention and disease management for patients who have been unsuccessful with traditional nutrition and exercise only programs.

Work with healthcare professionals, government and private entities to address obesity in ways that promotes open discussion rather than isolating those who are affected.

Broaden the research agenda to examine all factors contributing to obesity and how they interact, as well as applied research to address the immediate needs of payers, providers and individuals.

Encourage interventions and create environments that support physical activity to improve health, independent of weight or weight loss, resulting in a healthier population.

Initiatives Over the Years Brought Recommendations to Life for National Stakeholders

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2007

2008 2009 2010

Launch STOP -11 Steering Committee Members, 17th U.S. Surgeon General

Release 1st set of policy recommendations

Release Employer/ Employee Survey

Release Obesity GPS

Publish Employer/Employee survey in Health Affairs and commentary in Women’s Health Issues

Recruit first Associate Members

- Initiate Funders Table- Host Primary Care Roundtable- Launch National Employee Wellness Month

with Virgin HealthMiles

Launch Task Force on Women

Release Primary Care Survey

- Launch Women, Weight and Media Discussion with NEDA

- Release Media Guidelines

Release Health Reform Recommendations

2011

Release Revised Policy Recommendations: Focus on Physical ActivityRelease EHB RecommendationsRelease Policy Maker Communications Guidelines

Launch “Obesity and the States” Bulletin Series

More than 40 Associate Members

1600+ Followers; 860+ Friends

CMS National Coverage Determination

Address audience at inaugural CDC Weight of the Nation conference

2012

Obesity selected as a Great Challenge, STOP is the advocate

Presented at CDC’s 2nd Weight of the Nation Conference

Launched State-Level Membership

Ways to Stay Connected With The STOP Obesity Alliance

Visit www.stopobesityalliance.org Sign up for monthly e-Newsletter Get updates about upcoming events and

new research and resources

E-mail obesity@gwu.edu Request to receive future editions of

“Weight and the States” research bulletin

https://twitter.com/STOPObesity Follow us on Twitter!

http://www.facebook.com/STOPObesityAlliance Like us on Facebook!

What Interests Overlap in the Obesity and OA Communities?

Studies show that even modest weight loss (especially when combined with exercise) in people who are classified as overweight or obese and have OA produces meaningful improvements in physical function, reductions in pain, improved mobility and independence, and increased quality of life.

In fact, a study in older adults with knee OA demonstrated that each pound of weight loss resulted in a four-pound reduction in knee joint forces.

Other research finds that a weight loss of only about 15 pounds can cut knee pain in half for individuals who are classified as overweight and have OA.

12Source: Osteoarthritis Action Alliance, Background Facts on the Vicious Cycle of Obesity, Osteoarthritis (OA) and Disability

Questions?

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