Commentary by management consultant Michael Wade on Leadership, Ethics, Management, and Life
Monday, August 05, 2013
Obesity as a Disease: The Legal Perspective
Jonathan R. Mook, writing in the Virginia Employment Law Letter, examines the ramifications of the American Medical Association's designation of obesity as a disease. Needless to say, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is involved.
I just struggle with the implications of the following conversation:
Q: What is wrong? A: I have Obesity.
It changes the entire drift of the individual's relationship with obesity.
For 90% of obese people the equation is straightforward. Calories in versus calories expended. The decision will likely also spill over to already overburdened health plans.
Disability discrimination law has been heavily slanted against the employer since passage of the ADA Amendments Act. Putting obesity into the mix, with the exception of immutable characteristic cases caused by glandular problems, is a real wild card.
2 comments:
I just struggle with the implications of the following conversation:
Q: What is wrong?
A: I have Obesity.
It changes the entire drift of the individual's relationship with obesity.
For 90% of obese people the equation is straightforward. Calories in versus calories expended. The decision will likely also spill over to already overburdened health plans.
I don't see a positive.
Kurt,
Disability discrimination law has been heavily slanted against the employer since passage of the ADA Amendments Act. Putting obesity into the mix, with the exception of immutable characteristic cases caused by glandular problems, is a real wild card.
Michael
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