Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Obesity Is Key Driver Of A Nation's Covid Death Toll, Global Study Finds
CNN: Covid-19 Death Rates 10 Times Higher In Countries Where Most Adults Are Overweight
The risk of death from Covid-19 is about 10 times higher in countries where most of the population is overweight, according to a report released Wednesday by the World Obesity Federation. Researchers found that by the end of 2020, global Covid-19 death rates were more than 10 times higher in countries where more than half the adults are overweight, compared to countries where fewer than half are overweight. (Mascarenhas and Rahim, 3/5)
The Washington Post: Most Coronavirus Deaths Occurred In Countries Where Majority Of Adults Are Overweight
Among the nations with overweight populations above the 50 percent threshold were also those with some of the largest proportions of coronavirus deaths — including countries such as Britain, Italy and the United States. Some 2.5 million people have died around the world of covid-19, more than 517,000 of which were in the United States. (Cunningham and Hassan, 3/4)
The Hill: Most Virus Deaths Recorded In Nations With High Obesity Levels: Analysis
The WOF observed, however, that a few countries appeared to go against the trend. "Countries that appear to run against the trend include New Zealand, Australia and several Gulf states, where overweight prevalence among adults is high (over 60%) but reported deaths from COVID-19 are relatively low (below 10 per 100,000)," the WOF wrote. "These figures are clearly affected by national responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, and will change as the pandemic unfolds and as vaccination programmes are extended." (Choi, 3/4)
In related news —
US News: Obese People See Rare Advantage In Coronavirus Vaccination Priority
People who are overweight have long been stigmatized while seeking health care. But one area they’ve been prioritized is in distribution of the coronavirus vaccine. (Milligan, 3/5)
NJ.com: N.J. Quietly Added 11 Medical Conditions, Including Being Overweight, Asthma, To COVID Vaccine Eligibility List
When New Jersey significantly expands vaccine eligibility later this month, it won’t just be teachers and essential workers joining the list. The state will also add 11 more medical conditions that make people eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine — including asthma, high blood pressure, and a body mass index that qualifies them as overweight. (3/4)
