AMA Elevates Obesity as a Public Health Priority

Thirteen years ago, the AMA launched a strategic plan with three primary objectives, one of which was improving health outcomes related to prediabetes and hypertension. Notably, this plan was implemented one year before the AMA formally recognized obesity as a disease.

Given that obesity is a root cause of both prediabetes and hypertension—and that national obesity rates have surged from 33% to 42% over the past 13 years—I have long advocated for the AMA to elevate obesity as a central focus in its public health strategy.

This year, that vision became reality.

On behalf of the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA), I introduced Resolution 427, urging the AMA to:

“Elevate obesity to be one of its public health priorities.”

On June 9, 2025, the AMA House of Delegates voted to adopt this resolution as official AMA policy.

What This Means

With this new policy, the AMA Board of Trustees—the organization’s primary governing body—will formally incorporate obesity into its strategic discussions around resource allocation, public health advocacy, and policy development. Moving forward, obesity will receive attention equal to that of prediabetes, hypertension, and other top-tier public health priorities.

Where Do We Go from Here?

This is a powerful reminder that one individual’s goal—getting obesity recognized in the AMA’s strategic plan—can become reality. But it requires persistence, collaboration, and the right timing.

With the rapid evolution of the obesity treatment landscape over the past year, 2025 proved to be the right moment—and the AMA the right forum—to push this forward.

We’ll keep you informed as this important initiative evolves.

I’d like to thank my alternate delegate, Dr. Jennifer Paisley, and the members of our Obesity Caucus, pictured in the featured image, for helping make this dream a reality.