2007 Obesity Management Summit Presentations

Engaging Medicaid Beneficiaries and Their Families in a Community-Based Health Improvement Initiative to Combat Childhood Obesity

This session will describe Balance it Out: Arkansas, acommunity-based Medicaid initiative to help reduce the burden of obesity and chronic conditions among children and their families. Learn about the recruitment challenges in the Medicaid population, best practices in program engagement and methods for tailoring approaches to respond to local community needs. The session also will discuss the utilization of process data to effectively guide program operations during the recruitment phase of program implementation.

Anthony Gordon, MD, associate professor, family medicine, University of Arkansas Medical School
Donna Lichti, senior director, state initiatives & international projects, Pfizer Health Solutions Inc.
Laura McDowell, coordinator, coordinated school health programs, State of Arkansas

Presentation handout >>

Quantifying the Cost of Obesity: Best Practice Management Begins with Actionable Information

Best practice obesity management begins with quantification of the problem. Obesity is commonly considered a lifestyle health risk, which by definition, is a demand cost. Estimating demand health care costs is a challenge, but can be accomplished using available science. This session will discuss the cost of obesity estimates published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. These results are derived from 61 employers' paid medical claims from 25 million captive member months and allow for norms specific to business sector and demographics. Such benchmarks can initiate best practice health and productivity management programs for members.

Adam Long, PhD, VP, research & informatics, Gordian Health Solutions

Presentation slides >>

Case Management of the Morbidly Obese Patient

The prevalence of obesity and its co-morbid medical problems continues to rise, resulting in vast medical consequences. Understand the prevalence of obesity and define, identify and differentiate characteristics between the obese and morbidly obese patients. A comprehensive, multidisciplinary plan for the treatment of obesity and morbid obesity will be emphasized. The session will review suggested clinical pathways and expected outcomes for both medically and surgically treated patients, as well as necessary post-operative care of patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Current trends for the treatment of obesity, including centers of excellence and expected outcomes, also will be discussed.

Christopher Still, DO, FACN, FACP, medical director, Center for Nutrition & Weight Management, Geisinger Health System

Presentation slides >>

Effectiveness and Dissemination of Transtheoretical Model-Based Individualized Weight Management Interventions

This presentation will outline the findings of a randomized trial that demonstrated that dynamically tailored, Transtheoretical Model-based interventions delivered at home significantly impacted healthful eating, fruit and vegetable intake, exercise, managing emotional distress, and weight at one year post-intervention. The interventions enhanced co-variation of behavior change in 1,277 overweight and obese participants recruited primarily from large employers. Stability within the maintenance stage at extended follow-up for each behavior will be discussed. This session will then summarize the various ways Healthways Inc. is disseminating this population-based, multiple behavior intervention, as well as key outcome measures for the ongoing evaluation of its effectiveness.

Sara Johnson, PhD, director, health behavior change programs, Pro-Change Behavior Systems Inc.
Dexter Shurney, MD, MBA, MPH, SVP & chief medical officer, Healthways Inc.

Presentation slides (Johnson) >>
Presentation slides (Shurney) >>

The SlimDown Challenge, Worksite Weight Management Program

Capital District Physicians' Health Plan Inc. has developed two adult weight management programs for its members and their employees. Learn what components are needed for a successful weight management program and how to keep employees motivated over the long term. The use of incentives, simple interventions, online support and successful engagement strategies, which have proved to support outcomes, also will be addressed.

Amy Milazzo, RN, BSN, manager, disease management & wellness, Capital District Physicians' Health Plan Inc.

Presentation slides >>

Value-Based Benefit Design Module for Obesity with Co-Morbidities

Expert panelists will present in detail the results of a "Value-Based Benefit Design for Obesity with Co-Morbidities" project conducted by Health & Technology Vector and the Care Continuum Alliance. The project assembled a compendium of the most effective, evidence-based obesity management strategies that can support value-based benefit designs and large-scale implementation across diverse populations. This initiative will help reduce current gaps and inconsistencies in coverage for obesity, the most prevalent, costly and intractable health problem in the United States. Participants will gain a more in-depth understanding of proposed benefit features, their scientific justification, proven outcomes and financial projections, including actuarial models for an overall value proposition for employers, insurance companies, consumers and practicing physicians.

Louis Aronne, MD, FACP, clinical professor of medicine, Weill-Cornell Medical College Sue Frechette, BSN, MS, MBA, principal consultant, Northfield Associates LLC
Bruce Pyenson FSA, MAAA, principal, consulting actuary, Milliman Inc.
Victor Villagra, MD, FACP, president, Health & Technology Vector Inc.