Insurance company to host four conferences on obesity

In a push to improve the health of Maine citizens and hold down medical spending, the state’s largest health insurer will host a series of conferences targeting the issue of overweight and obesity.

According to a recent press release issued by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine, more than 60 percent of Maine adults are either overweight or obese, while over a third of Maine kindergarten students are either overweight or at risk of becoming overweight.

Obesity places an extra burden on the state’s health care system by increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, certain kinds of cancer and other diseases, according to the statement. Obesity also is linked with depression and other psychological problems.

“Reversing the increasing rate of being overweight or obese will take the commitment of leaders across Maine to improve our understanding of the issues and the steps that can be taken to set Maine on a healthier path,” said Anthem president Erin Hoeflinger. Reducing Maine’s burden of obesity will take the combined and coordinated efforts of health care providers, educators, public officials and business leaders, she said.

Anthem spokesman Mark Ishkanian said Thursday the company has collaborated with the Maine Center for Public Health, the American Diabetic Association, the American Cancer Society and other organizations in developing the obesity conference series.

The first of four projected events is scheduled for April 6 and will provide an overview of the obesity epidemic in Maine and nationally. Subsequent events will identify specific strategies that can be used by schools, employers and communities to promote more active behaviors, more healthful dietary choices, and other lifestyle improvements.

Ishkanian said the obesity project is just one of the company’s public health improvement activities in Maine. Anthem recently partnered with the March of Dimes to promote the importance of full-term pregnancies in avoiding birth defects. The company also provides ongoing funding for a mobile dental clinic in northern and central Maine, among other projects, Ishkanian said.

“We have a very critical role to play in getting people to connect the dots between their lifestyle choices today and their health status 10 years down the road,” he said. “The reality is that health care costs are increasing at an unsustainable rate. Maine leaders need to develop a variety of strategies that focus on wellness and disease prevention, or else we won’t be able to solve this problem.”

The first of the Health Care Leadership conferences will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, April 6, at the University of Southern Maine in Portland. Keynote speakers will include former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher and Los Angeles endocrinologist Dr. Francine Kaufman, author of the book “Diabesity,” which explores the converging trends of obesity and diabetes. Researcher Dr. David Chenoweth of East Carolina University will present the results of his national study of obesity-related health costs.

The event is open to educators, health care providers, state officials, business leaders and interested members of the general public. The cost is $25 per person, which includes lunch. Preregistration is required. For more information, or to register, call 791-1400.