FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, DC—The Obesity Care Advocacy Network (OCAN) today released a statement following the House of Representatives' markup of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 appropriations bill, which includes funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO). The markup provides $58.4 million for DNPAO, consistent with FY24 levels, plus an additional $16.5 million specifically for the High Obesity Rate Counties program.

"We are grateful to the House for recognizing the critical importance of sustained funding for obesity prevention," said Cristy Gallagher, coordinator of OCAN. "This decision is a vital step in our mission to address and manage obesity as a serious chronic disease."

The funding allocation will ensure the continuation of evidence-based interventions, quality standards, and epidemiologic surveillance that are essential tools for health professionals. DNPAO programs, including the creation of CDC growth charts and BMI calculators, provide crucial data and national guidance relied upon by millions. The additional funding for high-obesity-rate counties is especially important, as it directly targets areas where interventions are most needed.

OCAN, a diverse coalition founded in 2015, works to fundamentally change how the U.S. healthcare system and the public perceive and treat obesity. OCAN emphasizes that without continued support for programs like DNPAO, the national obesity crisis will worsen. According to studies, an alarming 213 million American adults are projected to have overweight or obesity by 2050 without major policy changes.

"The work of DNPAO is instrumental to achieving the Administration's goal of reducing chronic disease through improved nutrition and physical activity," Gallagher added. "Sustaining this funding is a clear signal that policymakers are committed to making America healthier by addressing this serious public health challenge."

About OCAN

The Obesity Care Advocacy Network (OCAN) is a diverse group of organizations who have come together to change how the nation perceives and approaches our country’s obesity epidemic by educating and advocating for public policies and increased funding for obesity education, research, treatment, and care. For more information, visit www.obesitycareadvocacynetwork.com