• Georgia: In a new report, the American Cancer Society (ACS) found that LGBTQ+ individuals have an "elevated prevalence" of certain risk factors linked to cancer, including smoking, excess body weight, HIV, and access to gender transition surgical procedures. "Perhaps the greatest health disparity faced by LGBTQ+ communities is the presumption-of-care gap, which is the fear that a provider will refuse care due to gender identity or sexual orientation," ACS wrote. LGBTQ+ individuals may also face discrimination and prejudice that contributes to mental health or substance use disorders, which can then increase their risk of cancer. According to ACS, the new data on LGBTQ+ individuals "is meant to start the conversation around the need to improve the routine collection and reporting of sexual orientation and gender identity data at all levels of health care." (Joseph, Fox News, 3/19)
• New York: According to a new study published in The Lancet, obesity rates in the United States and around the world have more than doubled between 1990 and 2022. During that time, the worldwide obesity rate among women grew from 8.8% to 18.5%, while the rate among men increased from 4.8% to 14%. Children and adolescents also saw their obesity rates grow four times higher, with girls going from 1.7% to 6.9% and boys going from 2.1% to 9.3%. More than 1 billion people worldwide have obesity. Tonga and American Samoa had the highest obesity rates among women, while American Samoa and Nauru had the highest obesity rates among men. The United States currently has the 10th-highest male obesity rate and the 36th-highest female obesity rate. According to World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, reversing the rise in obesity rates will require action from both governments and private sectors, "which must be accountable for the health impacts of their products." (Reed, Axios, 2/29)
• Texas: The Texas Medical Board recently proposed a broad definition for what is considered an emergency medical exception to the state's strict abortion ban. Under the proposed rule, a medical emergency is defined as "a life threatening condition aggravated by, caused by or arising from a pregnancy that is certified by a physician places the woman in danger of death or a serious impairment or a major bodily function unless an abortion is performed." The board also listed several ways a physician could document why an abortion was necessary, including by using "diagnostic imaging test results, medical literature, second opinions and or medical ethics committees that were used or consulted." According to Molly Duane, senior staff attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights, these rules "create a burdensome documentation system" and fail to clarify what doctors can do to provide abortion care. The board will consider public comments on the proposed rule for at least 30 days until a final rule is put into place. Sherif Zaafran, president of the Texas Medical Board, said the rule would likely be addressed again in June at the earliest. (Bohra, Texas Tribune, 3/22)

New weight management drugs are changing obesity care, and their impact hinges on how healthcare leaders respond. Discover how stakeholder actions could shape three potential futures for obesity care and the strategies leaders can implement to ensure optimal outcomes.