WHO Issues New Guidelines for Treating Obesity with GLP-1 Drugs
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released new guidelines recommending the use of GLP-1 drugs for treating obesity in adults, except for pregnant women. According to the guidelines, GLP-1 therapies may be used for long-term treatment, and intensive behavioral therapy, including diet and exercise changes, should be used alongside the medications. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, stated that “obesity is a major global health challenge” and that GLP-1 therapies can help millions overcome obesity and reduce its associated harms.
Conditional Recommendations
The WHO’s recommendations are considered “conditional” due to limited data on the medications’ long-term efficacy and safety, as well as costs and other factors. The organization notes that the first recommendation is conditional due to these limitations, while the second recommendation is based on “low-certainty evidence” that intensive behavioral therapy enhances GLP-1 treatment outcomes. Despite these limitations, the WHO considers GLP-1 drugs to be “more than a scientific breakthrough” and a new chapter in the approach to obesity as a complex, preventable, and treatable chronic disease.
Importance of Equitable Access
The WHO highlights the importance of equitable access to GLP-1 drugs, calling for “urgent action on manufacturing, affordability, and system readiness to meet global needs.” The organization estimates that even with rapid expansion in production, GLP-1 therapies are projected to reach fewer than 10% of those who could benefit by 2030. Well-known brand names of GLP-1 drugs in the U.S. include Ozempic and Mounjaro, which are FDA-approved for treating diabetes, and Wegovy and Zepbound, which are approved for weight loss.
Global Impact of Obesity
Obesity affects over 1 billion people globally and was associated with 3.7 million deaths last year. The WHO notes that in September, it added GLP-1 therapies to its “Essential Medicines List” for managing type 2 diabetes in high-risk groups. With the new guideline, the WHO issues conditional recommendations for using these therapies to support people living with obesity, as part of a comprehensive approach that includes healthy diets, regular physical activity, and support from health professionals.
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