Let's talk about weight-inclusive healthcare

Let's talk about weight-inclusive healthcare

Eqweighty Training x Durham University

Weight discrimination is a widespread problem in the UK. Within healthcare settings, 88% of people who are classed as ‘obese/overweight’ have experienced unequal treatment based on their weight and/or body size. This includes the use of derogatory language, inadequate equipment and missed diagnoses.

It’s humiliating, it’s discriminatory, it worsens patient outcomes, and it’s costly.

In this Festival of Social Sciences event, we will provide the space for reflection and conversations aimed at people who have experienced weight stigma; those who work in healthcare settings; those conducting research on weight-related discrimination; and those who are seek to eliminate it. We aim to foster a supportive environment for exchange and dialogue with the intention of developing strategies for creating weight-inclusive healthcare for all. Our event takes place over two sessions. You’re welcome to attend one or both!

Let’s Talk 1:

10am – 11:30am

For all: Anyone who’s been told “come back when you’ve lost weight”; healthcare practitioners; healthcare managers; public health professionals

What we’ll do: In this first session, we’ll introduce the concept of “weight discrimination” and some current research – including our own – in this area in healthcare.

Then we’ll get creative and talk in small groups about what weight discrimination looks like in practice, what its impacts are, and what might be done about it. In this session, you should share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with, and there will be the option to talk to us anonymously too!

If you attend this first session, you are also very welcome to join us for a hot buffet lunch!

Let’s Talk 2:

2pm – 3:30pm

For all: People interested in building a research network and capacity around weight discrimination and weight-inclusivity in healthcare. This might be practitioners, academics or also members of the public interested in this area who want to be an active part of future research.

What we’ll do: In this session, we’ll work in small groups and talk together to start off a conversation about formalising a North East network of people interested in research on weight inclusion issues from different perspectives and sectors (not just healthcare!).

We’ll spend some time getting to know each other, we’ll set some priorities and think about next steps for collaboration

Host or Publisher Dr Kimberly Jamie