The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first guidance on a new class of weight-loss medications, signaling a major shift in global health policy as obesity continues to rise worldwide.
The recommendations focus on GLP-1 therapies, including drugs such as liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide. WHO provides conditional guidance on their safe use as part of long-term obesity management.
In a statement on Monday, the agency highlighted that over one billion people globally live with obesity, which contributed to 3.7 million deaths in 2024. Without stronger interventions, WHO warns that the number of affected individuals could double by 2030, placing severe strain on health systems and potentially costing the global economy around $3 trillion annually.
As the leading global health authority, WHO’s guidance is expected to influence national health policies, insurance coverage, and clinical practice, particularly amid rising demand for effective weight-loss solutions.
“Obesity is a major global health challenge,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. He added, “Our new guidance recognises obesity as a chronic disease that requires comprehensive, lifelong care. While medications alone cannot solve this crisis, GLP-1 therapies can help millions reduce obesity-related harm and improve health outcomes.”
WHO emphasized that obesity is a complex, chronic condition shaped by genetics, environment, biology, and social factors—not merely lifestyle choices. It is a major contributor to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and can worsen outcomes for infectious diseases. Many individuals struggle to lose weight and maintain it without medical support.
GLP-1 therapies mimic a naturally occurring hormone that regulates appetite, blood sugar, and digestion. For people with obesity, these medications can promote significant weight loss and health improvements. The drugs were added to WHO’s Essential Medicines List in 2025 for managing type 2 diabetes in high-risk groups, and the new guidelines recommend their long-term use for adults living with obesity, with the exception of pregnancy.
The recommendations are conditional due to limited long-term safety data, uncertainties about maintaining weight loss after treatment stops, high costs, and concerns about unequal access across countries. WHO stressed that these medicines are most effective when combined with healthy diets, increased physical activity, and ongoing professional support.
The agency called on governments and industries to address obesity beyond individual behavior, emphasizing the need for healthier food environments and early interventions for those at risk.
WHO also warned that demand for GLP-1 medications already exceeds supply. Even with increased production, fewer than 10% of eligible individuals are expected to have access by 2030. Without deliberate policies, these treatments could widen health inequalities. The organization urged governments to explore measures such as pooled procurement, fair pricing, and voluntary licensing to expand access globally.