Hill Day 2024

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

We shared 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.