Feb 20, 2009 8:02 am US/Pacific
New Childhood Obesity Initiative Launched
Important Agreement Announced, Will Help Families Battle Unprecedented Weight Gain By American Youth
President Clinton: 1 Million Children Have Access To Benefits
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Childhood obesity has become an epidemic. In fact, 1 in 3 kids in the United States is obese or overweight. (File)
WCBS
Childhood obesity has become an epidemic. In fact, 1 in 3 kids in the United States is obese or overweight. But a groundbreaking initiative, announced Thursday, may help millions of children in this country get healthy, reports CBS station WCBS-TV.
Childhood obesity is a true medical problem, but doctors or patients aren't reimbursed for most obesity treatment or nutrition counseling.
Thursday's announcement will begin to change that.
As America's young people grow ever heavier, health problems that were almost unheard of in children are becoming rampant: high blood pressure, diabetes and joint problems.
Worse, as overweight kids grow into obese adults, their health problems will only increase. But when a child or parent goes to the doctor for help with their weight, this is what they usually hear.
"She just tell me to like, just to try my best, and not to go eat, like, stuff that, like, that will get me bigger," 11-year-old Jaleccia said.
That's at least partly because there's no insurance coverage or reimbursement for nutrition counseling or most obesity treatments.
But now an initiative between the Clinton Foundation's Alliance for a Healthier Generation and the American Heart Association, several insurance companies and employers will offer comprehensive health benefits to children and families for the prevention, assessment and treatment of childhood obesity.
"As a result of this collaboration and our agreements, nearly a million children in the United States now have access to new health care benefits to combat obesity," former President Bill Clinton said.
Health insurers have long been reluctant to cover preventative care, but Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield are starting to realize that it actually makes economic sense.
"It's really not that expensive," said Dr. Don Bradley of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. "And folks are beginning to use it.
And by spending a few bucks now you might save a lot more down the road?
"Absolutely," Bradley said.
And that improves access.
"This landmark agreement will allow children and their families to have access to important, preventive medical services, in most regions of the country," said Dr. Tim Gardner, president of the American Heart Association.
So far, the only employers to sign on to the initiative are PepsiCo, the Heart Association and the Clinton Alliance. But those large employers hope that by setting an example, other companies will follow suit.
For more information on the Clinton Alliance, please click
here.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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