According to a study in the National Library of Medicine, only 1 percent of doctors are trained in treating one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in the U.S. — obesity.That lack of education comes with consequences for patients.The condition has been recognized as a disease since 2013. The CDC reports nearly 42 percent of Americans are experiencing obesity. But a longstanding bias against these patients has affected their ability to seek treatment and weight loss medication. To tackle this bias, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) is rolling out new standards for diversity, equity, and inclusion. They will address practices in treating patients who are diagnosed as overweight or obese.We discuss the barriers to seeking treatment for obesity and what role do doctors play. Want to support 1A?
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