3 Takeaways from MBGH: The Obesity Conundrum

This educational and insightful event included speakers from larger employers, healthcare experts, and our very own Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Mary Jacobson.

On September 20th, we joined the Midwestern Business Group’s special event, The Obesity Conundrum. This educational and insightful event included speakers from larger employers, healthcare experts, and our very own Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Mary Jacobson. Here are three takeaways from what we heard:

1. The cost of GLP-1s and how long someone needs to take them remain top of mind for employers.

GLP-1s are a class of medication that have the potential to change the way obesity is treated. However, they come with a high price tag, with estimates starting at $10,000 for a one-year supply for one patient. Obesity incurs high healthcare costs, too: it puts people at much higher risks of developing chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, joint problems, and some types of cancer. This leaves questions like whether expensive GLP-1s are proven to prevent these health conditions, and would that prevention save employers in the long run?

Research and studies are underway to help measure the impacts of GLP-1s on a person’s overall health. What we do know is that obesity is a complex, chronic medical condition and affects each individual differently. Effective and sustained weight management comes from treating the whole person — not just the numbers on a scale. Access to healthcare providers who are trained in obesity medicine and primary care can personalize treatment that sets patients up for success–even as breakthroughs in the science of weight management emerge.

The landscape of GLP-1 medications may be changing over the next 5–10 years. An oral version is in development, and costs may come down as more options enter the market. The FDA may also approve more GLP-1s for the treatment of obesity soon. Employers with a flexible solution and approach will be best positioned to adapt to the future of obesity treatment.

2. Weight bias and stigma have downstream effects on how employees and employers implement and engage with weight management solutions.

Weight bias and stigma persist in the workplace, and employers are considering how this plays into weight management benefits. First, there’s the business case: does leadership have an accurate picture of the impact obesity has on their employees and on healthcare costs? Some of the stats that speakers at the MBGH event were startling reminders of this far-reaching health crisis:

• In 7 years, nearly half of Americans will have obesity (1)
• All states have an obesity prevalence higher than 20% (2)
• Obesity is the greatest contributor to chronic conditions in the U.S. About 90% of healthcare costs go towards treating chronic and mental health conditions. (3)

Even with an understanding that obesity is a costly condition, there is a pervasive and long-held misconception that obesity is just a matter of willpower. Some people may believe that a company weight loss challenge is a good tactic to encourage a healthier workplace. Yet genetics, environment, hormones, medications, and underlying health conditions can contribute to changes in weight. Company weight loss challenges can be well-meaning but can also be stigmatizing. Moreover, research shows that most people gain weight back after dieting, and chronic dieting without appropriate support can lead to worse health outcomes. Company-wide education on overall health, opportunities to be active, and access to good nutrition can help with more sustainable, positive lifestyle changes. Access to non-judgmental treatment is a crucial part of de-stigmatizing overweight and obesity.

Second, there’s engagement and communication. How can employers help guide employees to weight management benefits, and what barriers might employees face? A good solution partner can help tailor your communications to make sure they’re reaching your employees while being compassionate, inclusive, and nonjudgmental. Inclusive imagery and language in your company communications signal that health and wellness are for everyone.

Employee Resource Groups also came up as a way for employers to engage employees on a health journey. If your organization doesn’t have one yet, proactively creating a voluntary health and wellness-focused, or “every body” ERG can be a valuable addition. Employers can get useful feedback on supporting their employees’ health and what types of support their employees want. The ERG can also be an effective source of advocacy in getting employees engaged and connected with the right resources for their health.

3. Every company and workforce is unique — using data can help employers build benefits that actually work for their employees.

At the event, many employers expressed the need for clear, reliable data. There’s the need for data in building a business case for obesity support and treatment, and another need to track and understand outcomes.

Tracking medical claims related to obesity is tricky because obesity on its own isn’t a primary diagnosis. That’s where a comprehensive health benefit can help: regular primary care-based and preventive health screenings can help employers understand their workforce’s health risks and needs.

For health outcomes and measuring success, they should be tailored according to an employer’s workforce needs and organizational goals. Partners that can offer in-depth reporting on utilization and a breadth of metrics (such as average BMI reduction, mental health improvement, rate of referral) can help employers make better decisions for their people. A solution that can treat obesity holistically and alongside other health conditions can provide employers with a reliable source of data on their workforce’s needs and where costs can be managed.

Hello Alpha is here to help connect your employees to compassionate, evidence-based care while diverting spend on medical claims. Our weight management program, Ahead with AlphaTM, helps employers remove the biggest barriers to care and provides holistic treatment for obesity and over 100 medical conditions. Learn more at: https://www.helloalpha.com/ahead-with-alpha

Sources:

1 “Close to Half of U.S. Population Projected to Have Obesity by 2030.” News, 28 Mar. 2020, www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/half-of-us-to-have-obesity-by-2030.

2 “New Adult Obesity Maps.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 21 Sept. 2023, www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/prevalence-maps.html.

3 Health and Economic Costs of Chronic Diseases | CDC. www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/about/costs/index.htm.