New AHA Scientific Statement Notes Socioeconomic, Structural Barriers to Addressing Obesity

A new scientific statement published in the journal Circulation by the American Heart Association (AHA) highlights the significant socioeconomic and structural factors that serve as obstacles to preventing and treating obesity, especially in financially disadvantaged communities. The statement emphasizes broader social and environmental barriers that influence obesity risk and subsequent outcomes, rather than solely on individual health choices.^1,2

“This statement highlights the factors, beyond individual control, that impede obesity prevention and management,” Stephanie T. Chung, MBBS, FAHA, chair of the scientific statement writing group and the Lasker Clinical Scholar at the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, said in an interview with Pharmacy Times. “Clinically, if we can all work together to address poorly recognized barriers, eg, limited time and weight stigma, that can have large impacts on the success of healthy weight programs.”³

Barriers to Access: Disadvantaged Patients Struggle to Treat Obesity

The authors sought to showcase how individuals in lower-income or disadvantaged communities face specific obstacles that make it difficult to prevent or manage obesity. These include having limited access to affordable, healthy foods; fewer safe places for exercise; a lack of adequate medical services or preventive care; difficult neighborhood infrastructure; and burdensome financial and time constraints. Key lifestyle and environmental factors, such as living near extensive noise pollution and nighttime light exposure, can interfere with circadian rhythms and affect sleep quality, contributing to the development of obesity.^1,2

There has been a litany of treatment options made available in recent years for managing obesity and overweight, including medications like glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. However, major challenges remain in effectively treating patients with obesity, owing to systemic physical and financial challenges in place in the health care system and deeply engrained weight stigma.^1,2

Research shows that a vast portion of the populace harbor judgmental opinions about individuals with excess weight, which can make patients more likely to avoid seeking care. Meanwhile, medical equipment and physical spaces across the health care system discourage people with obesity from seeking medical care, while co-pays or insurance limitations make the process of treating overweight complex and overbearing. Compounding these issues are time constraints, an often-overlooked barrier that individuals with work or caregiver responsibilities face an outsized burden from. These key responsibilities reduce the amount of time available to support healthy lifestyle behaviors.^1,2

Implementing Solutions: The Role of Pharmacists in Obesity Counseling

Beyond individual-level counseling, effective solutions necessitate a multipronged strategy at the community, health system, and national levels. The statement authors noted the imperative need for the development of clinically meaningful metrics and the transition away from other metrics used to gauge the effectiveness of weight loss interventions, such as body mass index. Community health care providers, like pharmacists, can make a significant impact by initiating culturally sensitive discussions regarding their beliefs on weight and care while offering referrals to local resources and providing personalized care. ^1-3

“Nationwide there is increased focus on the importance of healthy diet, activity, and adequate sleep combined with obesity medications to prevent and treat obesity,” Chung noted. “This is a great opportunity for pharmacists to leverage this momentum and to support and improve health systems engagement that directly impacts obesity care.”³

Chung noted that possessing knowledge of the breadth of social and community-level factors that influence obesity can ensure their counseling is tailored to individual patients, especially when promoting health literacy and education in prescription management. She explains that pharmacy teams can effectively engage and support groups who may be in transitional life stages or struggling with access to their medications. With proper educational outreach and support, pharmacists can directly impact patient care, satisfaction, safety, and efficiency.^2,3

“While pharmacists will not be primarily responsible for addressing limited access, their community support is critical for successfully identifying and supporting under-resourced individuals,” Chung explained in the interview. She said that pharmacy fellowship and residency programs should work to integrate social and structural considerations for accessing medications into their training curriculum while incorporating education for pharmacists on time constraints and weight stigma. Additionally, fostering healthy relationships between pharmacy leaders, industry partners, and community coalitions can help promote prescription access and affordability.³

As efforts to improve outcomes in obesity continue, pharmacists are poised to reduce stigma around medication use, disseminate proper information to improve medication access, encourage engagement in lifestyle and diet activities, and help save time for patients. Chung also highlights that pharmacists can provide easily accessible educational and promotional material for patients and create partnerships between large pharmacies and community organizations or health systems.^2,3

REFERENCES

1. Chung ST, Harrington J, Kandula NR, et al. Socioeconomic and structural barriers to addressing obesity in communities: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. Published Online January 15, 2026. Accessed January 23, 2026. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001395

2. More resources and collaboration needed to support prevention and treatment of obesity. News Release. American Heart Association. Released January 15, 2026. Accessed January 23, 2026. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1112729

3. Stephanie T. Chung, MBBS, FAHA, Interview With Pharmacy Times. Retrieved January 23, 2026. Accessed January 23, 2026.