A group including patient organizations, health professionals, as well as people living with obesity, was formed to make themselves heard more effectively.
Its objective is to raise awareness of obesity as a serious chronic illness, by breaking down the prejudices that people living with obesity often face in Quebec.
The group is advocating that people living with obesity do not have to face barriers to accessing immediate support, including paying for their medications out of pocket in Quebec.
“We would not find it acceptable if people suffering from other chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension or rheumatoid arthritis do not get comprehensive treatment or help,” said Dr. Marie-Philippe Morin, head of the department of general internal medicine of the University Institute of Cardiology and Pneumology of Quebec (IUCPQ), by press release. So why would it be acceptable to neglect helping people whose health is compromised by their obesity? »
Exclusion
Since the creation of the Quebec drug insurance plan in 1997, medications for obesity have been on the list of exclusions.
This status prevented the National Institute of Excellence in Health and Social Services (INESSS) of Quebec from evaluating these drugs for their therapeutic and economic benefits.
Quebec remains the only Canadian province that does not evaluate obesity medications for possible inclusion in its public drug plan.
According to Statistics Canada, nearly 3 in 10 Quebecers (29%) live with obesity and need a well-defined strategy so that all possible support and treatments are accessible to people who could benefit from them.
A chronic illness
Obesity is a serious and progressive chronic disease that has significant impacts on individuals, their families and our health care system.
Obesity is much more than just being overweight. It is a chronic disease associated with more than 200 complications affecting an individual’s health, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, as well as certain types of cancers, in addition to reducing life expectancy.
Although obesity is scientifically proven to be a serious chronic disease, it is still considered by many to be a lifestyle problem.
The survey revealed that 4 in 10 Quebecers (40%) consider obesity to be a chronic disease, compared to 69% for diabetes, 65% for cystic fibrosis and 59% for rheumatoid arthritis.
Those who view obesity as a chronic disease are more likely to recognize that genetics (73%), stress and mental health (61%), hormones (51%) and socioeconomic factors (51%) are the main causes.
The Léger poll reports that almost half of Quebecers (48%) believe that the government should evaluate obesity medications and decide whether or not to cover them, and that 29% consider that obesity is a serious illness and that the public drug insurance plan should provide access to these medications to contribute to good weight management.
“Obesity is not just about BMI,” explains Doctor Yves Robitaille, specialist in internal medicine at the Center for Metabolic Medicine of Lanaudière and the CISSS of Lanaudière, in the same communication to the media. It is influenced by many factors over which we have no control, such as genetics, hormones and stress. We need a health care approach that reflects this complexity. Quebecers living with obesity, and who meet all the required criteria, deserve to have access to medications that have scientifically proven their effectiveness in managing the condition and helping to reduce its broader socio-economic consequences. »
Common request
A growing group of advocates, organizations, health professionals and people living with obesity are uniting to highlight the urgent need to better support and recognize obesity as a serious chronic condition, reflecting widespread sentiment of Quebecers for more comprehensive health care policies.
“Obesity must be addressed through a multidisciplinary approach that integrates medical, nutritional, psychological and pharmacological aspects,” says Dr. Julie St-Pierre, pediatrician and lipidologist at the CIUSSS Centre-Sud-de-l’île-de- Montreal, via press release. By combining these areas of expertise, we will be able to provide effective and sustainable solutions tailored to the needs of each patient. Obesity is recognized as a chronic disease by all major medical associations around the world. It is time for our government to recognize this too, to allow people living with obesity and meeting specific criteria to have access to appropriate treatments. »
“I have lived with obesity since childhood, despite a very active lifestyle, which includes swimming and CrossFit,” says Émilie Gagnon, a Quebecer living with obesity, in a press release. I know the perception some people can have of people suffering from obesity, without knowing everything the person has gone through or tried to change their body image. We need to change mentalities and policies regarding obesity. »
