This session utilizes a direct instructional format to expand on the recent American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Evaluation and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Obesity. Dr. Earles will examine the barriers to family-centered care due to medical mistrust, health disparities, and social determinants of health, including economic stability, the physical environment, educational attainment, food insecurity, and healthcare access, which have further compounded healthcare disparities in Black and Brown communities. Such inequities have resulted in a disproportionate burden of obesity and obesity-related conditions like Type 2 Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, and Nonalcoholic Liver Disease in socially, economically, and medically neglected communities of color. Consistent throughout the above diseases is the underlying Disease of Obesity, which likewise disproportionately impacts these communities. Blacks had the highest prevalence of obesity at 49.6%, followed by Hispanics at 44.8%, and Whites at 42.2%. Black women have the highest rates of obesity among any demographic group.

However, many successful initiatives have demonstrated a reduction in the healthcare gap between White patients and communities of color, including programs promoting diversity within clinical trials. Presently, Black people represent less than 13% of the population, yet only 5% of all US clinical trials. This lack of equity in clinical trials persists when examining the representation of other minority communities, including Asians, Native Americans, and Hispanic patients. Further research suggests that increasing the representation of minorities in medical roles positively impacts the presence of minorities in clinical trials, improvement in patient-provider communication, and overall healthcare outcomes. Another documented method of improving healthcare in minority communities is to increase the number of US medical graduates of color. Research suggests that developing a healthcare workforce that reflects the racial diversity of the population, specifically between the patient and the provider, has been associated with better patient-provider communication and overall health outcomes. Furthermore, culturally appropriate weight loss intervention programs that build upon the community's traditions, beliefs, and food preferences have successfully improved the participants' health. Policy changes, including the expansion of Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and Value-Based Formularies, have been suggested methods to decrease the racial disparity in medication use.

Some of the above tactics have been instituted in real-life programs, including a weight loss intervention designed for Mexican-American women, which led to substantial improvements in the community's dietary practices. Additionally, a landmark systematic review identified successful intervention measures promoting weight loss maintenance in Black women. An Obesity Care Model Collaborative, which focused on integrating clinical systems, familial support, and community systems, increased the percentage of obesity diagnosis, weight loss, and the prescriptions of anti-obesity medications within several participating healthcare systems. By expanding upon the above practices and instituting policy changes that positively impact social determinants of health, the health of those Black and Brown people deprived of healthcare access, clinical representation, equitable treatment, and outcomes can be affected.

CME/CE Expiration Date: 10/27/26

*The expiration date listed above is the last day CME/CE credit can be claimed for this specific presentation.