The American Medical Association has officially recognized obesity as a disease. What practical affect will this action have?It may still be to early to say, but recognizing obesity as a disease may change the way the medical community looks at this complex issue that affects one in three Americans. Obesity has long been linked to Type II Diabetes and Heart Disease. Some say that the statement by the American Medical Association is merely a matter of semantics because there is not a universally agreed upon definition as to what even constitutes a disease. Further, the American Medical Association decision has absolutely no legal authority. Some doctors have opined that the AMA's decision will cause physicians to take obesity more seriously and counsel their patients about it and further, that drug companies marketing products will be able to go to physicians and point out that the AMA's recognition of obesity as a disease should cause those prescribing doctors to consider there products.
Obesity: A Disease
Redistricting in Pennsylvania
In accordance with the Pennsylvania Constitution the state legislature every ten (10) years redraws the legislative districts to confirm the changing demographics. When this occurs there's always concern that the party in power will redistrict in a way that favors their side. This concern is not new.