Bias and Stigma: Weight Discrimination in Today’s Healthcare And What You Can Do About it
What if you had a serious health condition that is common and treatable, but every healthcare provider you saw blamed you for having it?
And what if your condition put you at risk for serious diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, but your insurance wouldn’t cover the medical appointments, medications, or surgery needed to get it under control?
That’s what it’s like for millions of Americans with obesity when they visit their healthcare professionals seeking help.
Healthcare professionals don’t blame people for having cancer, or for recurrences, yet those with obesity are often blamed for their diagnosis and failed treatments.
As a medical weight loss specialist, I see how this discrimination hurts people in tragic ways. I want to share the facts about why it happens. And close with a few simple—but powerful—steps you can take to stop the discrimination and improve access to effective obesity treatment.