Obesity is a growing problem in the U.S. Over 43% of our population is obese. Nearly 50% of Americans are projected to be obese by 2030. Obesity contributes to multiple health conditions, including type II diabetes, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, heart disease, cancer, and many other chronic diseases that decrease life expectancy. Addressing excess weight and lifestyle factors is crucial in improving health and reducing these chronic diseases. With this in mind, PureView is committed to starting a weight management and lifestyle program.
Obesity is a multifactorial disease with environmental, genetic/physiological, and psychological factors affecting a person’s weight. Recent science and evidence-based medicine have identified that treating obesity is not only about the adage “calories in, calories out” but rather, treatment needs to encompass a more whole-person approach.
Recognizing that sustained weight loss is complex, we plan to implement an integrative team-based approach that utilizes our team of medical professionals, including a physician and clinical pharmacists with specialized training in weight management, nurse care manager or health coaches, and our behavioral health team to develop a patient-centered plan and help them achieve their goals.
PureView’s weight management and lifestyle medicine program will incorporate positive lifestyle changes (including habit and mindset changes), appropriate medications, and behavioral health support if needed.
We are excited about this new program. We plan to begin seeing a limited number of patients in the upcoming months and have a fully implemented “clinic” dedicated to seeing patients working on weight management by the end of 2023. We hope this approach will reduce chronic disease burden and improve our patient’s health and well-being.
Dr. Heather McRee, D.O.; James DeFoe, PharmD Clinical Pharmacist; and Jordan Stone, PharmD, BCACP, CPP, Clinical Pharmacist, contributed to this article.
This health center is a Health Center Program grantee under 42 U.S.C. 254B, and a deemed Public Health Service employee under 42 U.S.C. 233(g)-(n).