By Erica Techo
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing Associate Professor and Vice Chair of the Department of Family, Community and Health Systems Loretta T. Lee, PhD, CRNP, FNP-BC, CNE (MSN 1991, PhD 2012), is representing the National Black Nurses Association Inc. in a seat on the Nurses Obesity Network.
Lee was named co-chair for NON, a network of national nursing organizations seeking to change the way people living with obesity are viewed and treated. She is serving alongside American Nurses Association Senior Policy Advisor Holly Carpenter, BSN, RN.
“Obesity is a chronic disease that requires a full continuum of care and there is so much misinformation about obesity,” Lee said. “By increasing public awareness of obesity as a condition and not simply a lifestyle choice, we can begin to garner support from policymakers to write policies that improve the lives of those living with obesity, particularly for those from underserved communities. Leveraging our collective voice, we can change the way the U.S. treats this condition.”
Lee also previously participated in a roundtable discussion sponsored by the American Medical Women’s Association. The roundtable took place in July 2022 and covered evidence-based and practical strategies to address the obesity epidemic. This input will be utilized in the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health in September 2022.
