3096-LB: Insights from Health Care Professionals on Barriers and Facilitators to Obesity Care

Introduction and Objective: Obesity is the 2nd preventable cause of morbidity and mortality. The Obesity Association™ (OA), division of the American Diabetes Association™ (ADA), launched an evidence-based initiative using community hub framework in California (CA), Delaware (DE), and North Carolina (NC) to improve obesity care (OC). Listening sessions (LS) with CA and DE health care professionals (HCP) and an electronic survey (ES) administered to NC HCP assessed key factors influencing OC. Methods: In October & November 2025, 60-minute LS with CA and DE HCP were held via Zoom, while an ES was administered to NC HCP in February 2026. HCPs were invited and selected by practice type and location. Both LS and ES used preset questions exploring three objectives: (1) provider insights on community referral pathways and gaps; (2) strengths and challenges in OC; (3) ADA opportunities to enhance community-clinical linkages (CCL). All LS were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. Results: LS in CA (n=13) and DE (n=28) and ES in NC (n=9) revealed barriers to OC, including limited insurance, fragmented referrals, SDoH challenges, and provider shortages. CA participants cited institutional mistrust among immigrants. DE emphasized high adult obesity (>38%) and gaps in pediatric and multidisciplinary services. NC noted food insecurity and lack of transportation. Facilitators included community hubs linking clinical and social services, CHWs for care coordination, and advocacy to improve coverage and policy. Conclusion: HCPs identified systemic barriers including insurance limitations, fragmented referral pathways, and SDoH hindering effective OC. Strong support emerged for community hubs, multidisciplinary collaboration, and policy/advocacy as strategies to improve access and quality to OC. Leveraging CHWs as connectors to CCL was viewed as essential for strengthening OC infrastructure. Findings will inform the OA’s efforts to expand CCL and advance OC. Disclosure T. Crank: None. T. Wiggins: None. N. Sabade: None. W. Jones: None. J.E. Martinez: None. R. Gonzalez: None. Funding Internal ADA funded work, supported by Novo Nordisk funding for Changing the Conversation on Obesity.