Obesity
Obesity is a serious chronic disease that has been recognized by the World Health Organization since 1997 and by the American Medical Association since 2013. Yet despite decades of medical consensus, obesity is still treated differently than other chronic diseases when it comes to coverage and access to care.
Today, obesity remains one of the leading drivers of chronic disease. More than 40% of U.S. adults are living with obesity, increasing the risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, kidney disease, sleep apnea, and certain cancers.
The health and economic consequences are significant. Between 1999 and 2022, about 12.7 million more Americans died than expected, in large part due to preventable circulatory and metabolic diseases. In 2023, GlobalData analyzed the economic and workforce implications of obesity and overweight from the perspective of employers and employees, finding that chronic conditions caused $425.5 billion in higher medical and disability costs and reduced productivity.
Despite this evidence and the overall understanding that health outcomes and cost-savings improve when individuals receive effective treatment, stigma continues to harm Americans. Far too often, obesity is viewed as a lifestyle issue rather than a complex medical condition influenced by genetics and early life conditioning, hormones, medications, stress, sleep, environment, and other biological factors.
Like other chronic diseases, obesity requires personalized treatment, with many Americans needing access to comprehensive care coordination, support, behavioral health services, and medication, including GLP-1s. However, a major parity gap remains in health care policy. Medicaid programs throughout the country vary widely in terms of coverage, with 13 states covering obesity treatment as of January 1, 2026; some states like California, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina pulling back coverage despite improved health outcomes; and 34 other states deciding not to cover obesity treatment.
The impact of fragmented coverage creates a costly and ineffective cycle: the health care system pays to treat the complications of obesity while limiting access to treatment for the underlying disease.
We all must advocate for ourselves but also share our stories to advocate for better policies for caring for people with obesity. That’s why CCPA is working across the country to amplify the voices of those most impacted. Nationally, we work with the American Diabetes Association and Obesity Action Coalition; in California, CCPA is a proud member of the Chronic Obesity Prevention & Education Alliance or cHope.
To learn what your state is doing to improve obesity care, please visit our state map.