Grange Supports Legislation to Fight Obesity

The National Grange urges Congress to enact the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act to allow Medicare patients access to anti-obesity medications.

Obesity is related to multiple health issues which can be life threatening as well as require extensive treatment.  These include high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Rural residents are more likely than their urban counterparts to die from multiple chronic diseases linked to obesity, heart disease and cancer.

Obesity is more prevalent in rural communities than in urban populations. Various factors likely contribute to rural obesity. These include low levels of income, an older population, lower levels of education, less emphasis on a
healthy diet, limited access to health care, low rates of insurance coverage, and distance from services in general.

Because of these demographics, the Grange supports the passage of the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA). Rural residents truly are an underserved population. TROA is a giant step forward to allow older adults in greatest need access to anti-obesity medications.

Click here to view letter from National Grange to Congress.

Adult Obesity in Rural America Final Report	Adult Obesity in Rural America Summary and Infographic	Adult Obesity in Rural America Appendix