Improving Veteran Health Through Evidence-based, Patient-centric Obesity Care

Obesity affects more than 44% of post-9/11 U.S. Veterans—far surpassing rates in the general population—and is closely tied to chronic health issues such as cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, and diabetes. Despite the known risks, uptake of evidence-based treatment remains low. Fewer than 5% of Veterans in VA obesity programs receive anti-obesity medications (AOMs), and fewer still achieve meaningful weight loss. Unfortunately, weight stigma persists in clinical encounters, eroding trust and limiting effective engagement. Moreover, Veterans often face unique structural and psychosocial challenges that complicate obesity care, including mental health concerns. This education initiative aims to equip health care professionals with current evidence on pharmacologic options, strategies for comprehensive care planning, and guidance for bias-free, respectful communication. With obesity recognized as a chronic disease requiring sustained intervention, education is critical to update perceptions and treatment pathways that improve outcomes for Veterans struggling with weight and its related complications.

At the conclusion of this activity, learners will be able to better:

• Evaluate the need for comprehensive care for Veterans with obesity including knowledge of obesity as a serious and progressive disease requiring evidence-based intervention to minimize related comorbidities affecting this population
• Differentiate among available and emerging AOMs in the context of comprehensive, long-term management plans for Veterans with obesity
• Incorporate obesity medications into a comprehensive obesity management plan according to current standards of care and clinical practice guidelines
• Utilize respectful and non-stigmatizing language and communication strategies to reduce weight bias and discrimination towards Veterans with obesity

Supported by an educational grant from Novo Nordisk Inc.

Physicians (MDs, DOs), physician associates (PAs), nurse practitioners (NPs), nurses, and clinical pharmacists who care for patients with obesity in community, federal, and VA health services settings

It is the policy of CME Outfitters, LLC, to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, and scientific rigor and integrity in all of their CE activities. Faculty must disclose to the participants any relationships with commercial companies whose products or devices may be mentioned in faculty presentations, or with the commercial supporter of this CE activity. CME Outfitters, LLC, has evaluated, identified, and mitigated any potential conflicts of interest through a rigorous content validation procedure, use of evidence-based data/research, and a multidisciplinary peer review process. The following information is for participant information only. It is not assumed that these relationships will have a negative impact on the presentations.

Dr. Alemán reports the following financial relationships:

Advisory Board: Flyte Health

Consultant: Clearview Consulting And Novo-Nordisk

Grants: National Institutes of Health (NIH) and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

Dr. Novak reports the following financial relationships:

Advisory Board: Ascensia Diabetes Care; Novo Nordisk; and Sanofi

Consultant: Abbott; Nestle; Novo Nordisk; and Sanofi

Speakers Bureau: Abbott; Nestle; Novo Nordisk; and Sanofi

The following individuals have no financial relationships to disclose:

Thai Nguyen, MD, MHA (Peer Reviewer)
Jessica Giddens, DNP, APRN, FPMHNP-BC, RN-BC (Peer Reviewer)
Thomas Mitchell, MSW, LSW (Planning Committee)
Warren Beckman (Planning Committee)
Scott J. Hershman, MD, FACEHP, CHCP (Planning Committee)
Sandra Caballero, PharmD (Planning Committee)
Sharon Tordoff (Planning Committee)

*All identified conflicts of interest have been mitigated.

Unlabeled Use Disclosure
Faculty of this CME/CE activity may include discussions of products or devices that are not currently labeled for use by the FDA. The faculty have been informed of their responsibility to disclose to the audience if they will be discussing off-label or investigational uses (any uses not approved by the FDA) of products or devices. CME Outfitters, LLC, the faculty, planners, and reviewers do not endorse the use of any product outside of the FDA labeled indications. Medical professionals should not utilize the procedures, products, or diagnosis techniques discussed during this activity without evaluation of their patient for contraindications or dangers of use.

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