Letter: CMS Should Prioritize Obesity Treatment to Address Racial Inequities in Health Care

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes obesity as an epidemic – affecting nearly 100 million Americans, including 33% of people over the age of 65 on Medicare and a disproportionate share of Black and Latinx adults. During the pandemic, individuals with obesity were three times more likely to be hospitalized and had higher rates of mechanical ventilation and death when infected with COVID-19. Furthermore, COVID-19 infections in people of colorare associated with increased rates of hospitalization, respiratory failure, and death.

This administration has asked for ways to address systemic racial inequity, particularly as our nation continues to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why we are urging CMS to prioritize treatment and relief for people living with obesity as part of your work to address racial inequity in health care.