Advocacy
Spring Into Action!
Contributing authors: Eric Klein, CEO, ObesityHelp Inc., Nikki Johnson, Tammy Colter, Editor-In-Chief
What is advocacy?
The Alliance For Justice defines advocacy as any action that speaks in favor of, recommends, argues for a cause, supports or defends, or pleads on behalf of others. Do you have what it takes to be an effective obesity advocate? We think you do!
What do effective advocates do?
Effective advocates…
- Educate themselves about the issue
- Find out who opposes their position and why
- Focus on what they can do locally
- Elect officials who support their ideals
- Communicate with courtesy
- Take time to write and call key companies and legislators
- Invite others to join them
- Vote
- Express their position consistently and appropriately.
- Act on what they believe
- Develop relationships with local media and lawmakers
- Visit their legislators when possible
- Organize efforts for maximum effect
- Commit to working for as long as it takes
- Agree to compromise when necessary
- Teach those who are ignorant about the issue
- Express gratitude to those who have helped them
- Speak truthfully so that they do not damage their own credibility
Together we CAN make a difference!
An Advocacy Challenge-Reach Out To Your Primary Care Physician!
Does your primary care physician provide a safe and comfortable environment for patients of all sizes? Give the checklist below to your physician. Then, if your physician has not demonstrated obesity sensitivity, you can be an advocate for change and ask him or her to make modifications as needed. If your request does make a change, send an email to [email protected] and tell us how you made a change for the better!
OH Newsletter Questionnaire For Primary Care Physicians
Is your office sensitive to the needs of all patients?
- Do you have several sturdy armless or oversized chairs in the waiting areas and examination rooms?
- Are chairs high enough and firm enough to make standing up again easy?
- Do you provide restrooms close to your office with wide doors, spacious stalls and toilets that are high enough to facilitate easy rising?
- Do you have blood pressure cuffs that are designed to accommodate arms of larger diameter?
- Do you provide larger examination gowns for larger patients?
- Are your halls and doorways spacious enough for ease of mobility for those using motorized scooters or oversized wheelchairs?
- Do have scales with wide bases (and without grab bars on both sides) that can measure over 300 pounds?
- Are scales located in private, out-of-the-way places with adequate space around them to accommodate larger patients?
- Do you have examination tables accommodating patients weighing 300 to 500 pounds that are low enough for patients to easily get onto, or do you provide a movable, sturdy stepstool with a grab bar to ease movement to and from the table?
- Do you have oversized walkers and wheelchairs readily available?
- Do your staff members ask discretely and quietly when they require help finding or using any of the items mentioned above?
- Are you and your nursing staff discrete and respectful when sharing weigh-in results with your patients?
- Do you maintain a cool temperature in your office so that patients, especially those of larger size, do not feel uncomfortably warm?
- Do you provide educational materials that sensitively address weight-related health and lifestyle issues?
- Do you provide adequate parking nearby: ramps, railings and appropriate lighting to promote easy access to your office?
*If you answered yes to 6 to 11 questions, you are on the right track; there are, however, several more things you can do to ensure the comfort and safety of your patients.
*If you answered yes to 5 or fewer questions, it is time to consider what changes you can make to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all patients.
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