We’re joined by Kristal Hartman who is a proud member of the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) and is honored to serve as the Chair of the OAC National Board of Directors. In this episode, we learn about her patient journey, including her bariatric surgery in August 2014, which she describes as the hardest and best decision she ever made for herself. She shares how she now fights for access to quality, compassionate, and affordable access to care for all people living with the chronic disease of obesity.

Among the highlights in this episode:

01:37: Kristal discusses how attending an advocacy day in Washington, D.C. helped her find a supportive community and significantly impacted her obesity management journey

03:40: Kristal and Zoe Rothblatt, Associate Director of Community Outreach at GHLF, talk about the importance of community in managing chronic conditions. Kristal shares her struggles with obesity from her teens and the challenges she faced with weight management, including her experiences with polycystic ovarian syndrome, thyroid issues, and fertility problems, which compounded her obesity

07:48: Kristal shares her difficult decision to undergo bariatric surgery after trying various treatments for obesity and facing shaming from her primary care physician. Kristal highlights the transformative care she received from her obesity care team post-surgery and emphasizes the lifelong nature of managing the chronic disease of obesity

11:49: Zoe and Kristal discuss the need for compassionate health care, and the negative internalization of societal and medical bias against obesity

14:33: Kristal discusses the Obesity Bill of Rights, advocating for equal access to care and treatment for people living with obesity, and emphasizes the need to combat weight bias and discrimination

17:37: Kristal expands on her involvement in advocating on Capitol Hill for the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA), which aims to provide comprehensive care and access to FDA-approved medications for obesity

22:01: Kristal discusses the impact of media on the perception of GLP-1 drugs and obesity treatment and emphasizes the need for comprehensive, science-backed care for obesity as a chronic disease

25:10: Kristal encourages listeners to get involved with OAC and advocate for fair and unbiased treatment of obesity at all levels, highlighting various ways individuals can contribute to the cause

For more information, visit www.obesityaction.org

27:57: What our hosts learned from this episode

Contact Our Hosts

Steven Newmark, Director of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

Zoe Rothblatt, Associate Director, Community Outreach at GHLF: zrothblatt@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Manager of Programs & Special Projects at GHLF.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to podcasts@ghlf.org

Catch up on all our episodes on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

We’re joined by Kristal Hartman who is a proud member of the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) and is honored to serve as the Chair of the OAC National Board of Directors. In this episode, we learn about her patient journey, including her bariatric surgery in August 2014, which she describes as the hardest and best decision she ever made for herself. She shares how she now fights for access to quality, compassionate, and affordable access to care for all people living with the chronic disease of obesity.
Among the highlights in this episode:
01:37: Kristal discusses how attending an advocacy day in Washington, D.C. helped her find a supportive community and significantly impacted her obesity management journey
03:40: Kristal and Zoe Rothblatt, Associate Director of Community Outreach at GHLF, talk about the importance of community in managing chronic conditions. Kristal shares her struggles with obesity from her teens and the challenges she faced with weight management, including her experiences with polycystic ovarian syndrome, thyroid issues, and fertility problems, which compounded her obesity
07:48: Kristal shares her difficult decision to undergo bariatric surgery after trying various treatments for obesity and facing shaming from her primary care physician. Kristal highlights the transformative care she received from her obesity care team post-surgery and emphasizes the lifelong nature of managing the chronic disease of obesity
11:49: Zoe and Kristal discuss the need for compassionate health care, and the negative internalization of societal and medical bias against obesity
14:33: Kristal discusses the Obesity Bill of Rights, advocating for equal access to care and treatment for people living with obesity, and emphasizes the need to combat weight bias and discrimination
17:37: Kristal expands on her involvement in advocating on Capitol Hill for the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA), which aims to provide comprehensive care and access to FDA-approved medications for obesity
22:01: Kristal discusses the impact of media on the perception of GLP-1 drugs and obesity treatment and emphasizes the need for comprehensive, science-backed care for obesity as a chronic disease
25:10: Kristal encourages listeners to get involved with OAC and advocate for fair and unbiased treatment of obesity at all levels, highlighting various ways individuals can contribute to the cause
For more information, visit <a href="http://www.obesityaction.org">www.obesityaction.org</a>  
27:57: What our hosts learned from this episode
Contact Our Hosts
Steven Newmark, Director of Policy at GHLF: <a href="mailto:snewmark@ghlf.org">snewmark@ghlf.org</a>
Zoe Rothblatt, Associate Director, Community Outreach at GHLF: <a href="mailto:zrothblatt@ghlf.org">zrothblatt@ghlf.org</a>
A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Manager of Programs &amp; Special Projects at GHLF.
We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to <a href="mailto:podcasts@ghlf.org">podcasts@ghlf.org</a>
Catch up on all our episodes on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

A podcast that breaks down major health news of the week to help you make sense of it all. Our goal is to help you understand what’s happening in the healthcare world to help you make informed decisions to live your best life.

A podcast that breaks down major health news of the week to help you make sense of it all. Our goal is to help you understand what&rsquo;s happening in the healthcare world to help you make informed decisions to live your best life.

The Health Advocates

A podcast that breaks down major health news of the week to help you make sense of it all. Our goal is to help you understand what’s happening in the healthcare world to help you make informed decisions to live your best life. The podcast is part of the Global Healthy Living Foundation Podcast Network and hosted by Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF, and Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF.

A podcast that breaks down major health news of the week to help you make sense of it all. Our goal is to help you understand what’s happening in the healthcare world to help you make informed decisions to live your best life. The podcast is part of the Global Healthy Living Foundation Podcast Network and hosted by Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF, and Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF.

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