Authors

  1. Pogge, Elizabeth K. PharmD, MPH, BCPS, FASCP

Abstract

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will cover intensive behavioral therapy for the treatment of obesity. This pilot program provides a model for interprofessional collaboration in the retail food market between nutrition professionals and pharmacists as a starting point to provide this intensive behavioral therapy. In this pilot, we found that regardless of incomes, 60% of individuals were classified as obese or overweight and close to half had uncontrolled or elevated blood pressure and cholesterol levels. With the projected shortage of primary care providers, the retail food market could provide a solution for detection and early treatment of common chronic diseases.