At the Collective, we regularly receive media requests, which offer important opportunities to raise awareness of the science and reality of obesity and directly speak about the harms of stigma.
Recently there has been a lot of interest in a GLP-1 agonist treatment option that is TGA registered but not yet available in Australia (due to global supply issues). We are hopeful that new treatments will provide more options for people experiencing obesity who want to manage their weight and health. We are also hopeful that new medicines and the strong global demand will help to reiterate that obesity has biological drivers and is much more than just a simple personal choice.
Some media coverage has gone well and some has been frustrating with important points from our key messages missing or misreported, leaving us feeling misrepresented at times. We constantly push to change the imagery used to support articles and news reports. We’ve had some good conversations with journalists and producers recently. Referring people to our short media guide has been helpful.
It is important that we tell the full story around obesity and show that we stand for prevention and treatment. Each is important, neither alone is sufficient.
We stand for systems change. We stand for healthcare change. We are committed to reducing the stigma and impact of obesity.
Some of the recent news stories include:
In print
The Age: Saturday 14 Jan 2023
On radio
Luke Grant, 2GB – New weight-loss drug is having remarkable results
3AW Neil Michell, Monday 16 Jan 2023
Radio 6PR Perth, Monday 16 Jan 2023
On screen
Studio 10, Channel 10 – Miracle Obesity Drug
Channel 7 News, Sunday 15 Jan 2023, 6.30pm
News.com.au, podcast with Andre Bucklow Saturday 21 Jan 2023