We recently submitted a letter to the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce, outlining the urgent and critical need for better healthcare pathways, funding, and tools to support clinicians and health consumers with conversations about obesity and health. There is a considerable opportunity to support people with obesity in the health system better.
We recommended that the taskforce consider the scope and opportunities for evidence-based obesity management, including prioritising funding for primary care workers to initiate respectful, person-centred conversations around obesity; funding for chronic condition management, and referral pathways for those with more complex care needs (e.g., allied health, social support, multidisciplinary care/specialised obesity clinics).
