The Global Health Body Raises Alert Over Severe Lack of Obesity Jabs
Less than one in 10 patients that would benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the World Health Organization as it publishes its initial recommendations on the medications.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are major hurdles to broad access to the injections that can help people shift considerable body mass, says the agency.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even in the current most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The advice encourages governments and firms to widen access, via measures including patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Work
The injections imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.
People commonly start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies suggests users may put most of the weight back on a year later of stopping the medication, as their usual appetite come back.
To be carrying excess weight increases your risk for contracting diseases, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Obesity impacts people in all nations and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
