Inequalities in bariatric surgery in Australia: findings from 49 364 obese participants in a prospective cohort study

Doolan, Alessandra; Trimmer, Anne

doi:10.5694/mja13.10462

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To the Editor: On behalf of the Medical Technology Association of Australia, we would like to commend the findings of Korda and colleagues on the inequalities in patient access to bariatric surgery in Australia.1

Medical Technology Association of Australia, Sydney, NSW.

Correspondence: adoolan@mtaa.org.au

Competing interests:

The Medical Technology Association of Australia represents the manufacturers, exporters and suppliers of medical technology products in Australia. The range of devices includes those that can be used for bariatric surgery.

1. Korda RJ, Joshy G, Jorm LR, et al. Inequalities in bariatric surgery in Australia: findings from 49 364 obese participants in a prospective cohort study. Med J Aust 2012; 197: 631-636. <MJA full text>
2. National Health and Medical Research Council. Clinical practice guidelines for the management of overweight and obesity in adults. http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/obesityguidelines-guidelines-adults.htm (accessed Mar 2013).
3. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Clinical guidelines on the identification, evaluation, and treatment of overweight and obesity in adults. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity (accessed Mar 2013).
4. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Weight loss surgery in Australia. Canberra: AIHW, 2010. (AIHW Cat. No. HSE 91.) http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=6442472773 (accessed Mar 2013).
5. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Overweight and obesity. http://www.aihw.gov.au/overweight-and-obesity (accessed Mar 2013).
6. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. http://www.aihw.gov.au/cardiovascular-health/risk-factors (accessed Mar 2013).

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