The World Health Organization (WHO) recently sounded the alarm on the exploding obesity epidemic. They estimate that the number of obese people will increase by 1 billion, going from 1 billion to 2 billion by 2030. This seems to point to the scary trend of increasing obesity. By October 2023, the global costs associated with obesity are expected to reach a whopping $3 trillion. Obesity is commonly defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. This burgeoning epidemic poses significant health threats everywhere and in every society.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO’s director-general, emphasized the critical role of weight loss drugs in addressing this issue. He noted that while medication alone cannot resolve the global health crisis, therapies such as GLP-1 can significantly aid millions in overcoming obesity and its associated health risks.
“While medication alone won’t solve this global health crisis, GLP-1 therapies can help millions overcome obesity and reduce its associated harms,” – Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
In the UK, access to treatment is still pretty dire. The National Health Service (NHS) tightly regulates the current supply, creating a fragile and difficult-to-obtain resource. The Obesity Health Alliance is a coalition of over 50 health, medical and children’s organizations in the UK. They urgently call for improved access to these effective therapies. Katherine Jenner, the executive director of the Obesity Health Alliance, said that GLP-1 therapies are a game changer. She emphasized that these treatments should not be seen as a magic bullet for obesity management.
“Weight loss drugs have an important role to play, but they are not a silver bullet,” – Katherine Jenner.
The WHO recently called GLP-1 therapies a historic breakthrough for treatment of obesity. Once enacted, this recognition changes societal perceptions, helping Americans understand that obesity is a complex, preventable and treatable chronic disease—not a lifestyle choice. This reframe is essential to ushering in the systemic change that needs to happen, both in how we approach obesity (medical and otherwise), and to advance social equity.
“GLP-1 therapies … have emerged as an important innovation in addressing the global obesity challenge. The advent of these medications represents a tipping point in the treatment of obesity, its complications and related co-morbidities,” – WHO’s statement in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Even with these good faith efforts, available global production capacity for treatment of obesity is still very restricted. Currently, only about 100 million people can access these drugs. At the same time, there are close to 1 billion more—diagnosable and treatable with existing technologies—who do not have proper care. This regretful disparity highlights a troubling space in healthcare access. Specifically, it highlights the incredible need for larger policies to enact equitable healthcare solutions.
Jenner went on to point out that 360-degree support in addition to medication is necessary for effective obesity management. She stated, “In the UK right now, access is still limited, supply is fragile, and NHS use is tightly targeted. These powerful medicines can help individuals with chronic obesity, but they are not suitable for everyone and must be accompanied by comprehensive support to be used safely and effectively.”
The urgency of the moment is increasing with the perilous state of obesity. States, health systems, and local communities need to come together to address this public health emergency. By improving access to effective treatments and fostering a supportive environment for individuals struggling with obesity, significant strides can be made towards combating this escalating issue.