Nova Scotia Health Professionals Urge Recognition of Obesity as Chronic Condition
Health-care professionals in Nova Scotia are calling on the provincial government to officially recognize obesity as a chronic condition, citing improved access to care and funding. This initiative follows Alberta's precedent set last year.
Health-care professionals in Nova Scotia are urging the provincial government to officially recognize obesity as a chronic condition. The call for policy change is driven by the potential for improved access to care and increased funding for treatment programs.
The push for recognition comes amid significant health data indicating that more than 36 per cent of Nova Scotians are considered obese. This rate exceeds the national average reported by Statistics Canada for the period from 2022 to 2024, which stood at 33 per cent.
Dr. Ahmed Jad, a bariatric surgeon and event chair for the third annual Truro Obesity Symposium, emphasized the medical nature of the issue. He stated that obesity is biology and science, not just willpower. Recognizing it as a chronic condition helps shift the public view of obesity from personal failure to a medical condition requiring scientific understanding and support.
Lisa MacDonald, manager of rehabilitation services in Nova Scotia's Eastern Zone, supports the move. She noted that official recognition would strengthen treatment programs and improve medication access for patients.
This effort follows Alberta’s decision last year to become the first province to recognize obesity as a chronic condition. Provincial acknowledgment in Nova Scotia is expected to increase access to care, insurance coverage, and government funding.
CBC News reached out to the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness regarding the potential change but had not received a response at the time of reporting.