Hill Day 2024

On May 1, 2024, the American Society on Aging is coordinating a day of advocacy with and on behalf of Indigenous Elders in Washington, DC. We will meet with various elected officials, staffers and committee support staff to advocate for better and more equitable access to healthcare and obesity care treatments.

We will share findings from a series of roundtable sessions ASA staff held in 2023. These conversations had 3 themes, each of which we have compiled into a fact sheet:

Obesity is a chronic condition for Indigenous Elders.
- Obesity concerns reach across generations.
There are multiple contributors to obesity for Indigenous Elders.
- Less availability of healthy foods.
- Lack of transportation prohibiting access to medical care.
- Disconnection from tradition preventing Indigenous diets.
Elders want to access the full range of care options available to treat obesity.
- Culturally appropriate care from providers.
- Access to medications to treat obesity without the current confusion or frustration with health insurance over what is covered through programs such as Medicare.
- Access to traditional methods of healing.

We will ask elected officials to:

Provide nutritious & culturally appropriate foods in the Older Americans Act’s Title III and Title VI programs.
Increase funding allocation for Indian Health Services (IHS) to allow for better access and culturally appropriate care.
Ensure greater access and options for obesity care treatment.

Download the Fact Sheets:

Obesity Is a Chronic Condition for Indigenous Elders

Contributors to Obesity for Indigenous Elders

Range in Care Options for Indigenous Elders with Obesity

Join us on the Hill virtually!

Virtual Hill Day
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
9–10 AM Pacific

Support Hill Day 2024 by participating in this virtual event! This year, our advocacy efforts are focusing on ASA’s Health Equity Public Policy priority area. Specifically, we will discuss access to healthcare for Indigenous Elders.