WHO Issues First Guidelines on New Weight-Loss Medications

GENEVA – The World Health Organization (WHO) has published its first guidelines on the use of a new class of weight-loss medications, marking a shift in its policy on obesity, a condition affecting more than 1 billion people, or one in eight people worldwide. Obesity, linked to 3.7 million deaths last year, “is a major global health problem that WHO is committed to addressing, supporting countries and people everywhere to control it effectively and equitably,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Tedros stated that it is “a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care.” While the medications alone will not resolve this global health crisis, GLP-1 therapies can help millions of people overcome obesity and reduce its adverse effects.” The organization's guidelines focus on GLP-1 therapies (medications such as liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide, and popularly known by their brand names like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro), and offer recommendations on how to use them safely as part of long-term treatment. The WHO warned that without stronger measures, the number of people affected could double by 2030, exerting enormous pressure on health systems and raising global economic losses to about three trillion dollars annually. As the world's leading health authority, the WHO's statement is expected to influence national policies, insurance coverage, and clinical practice, especially as demand for effective weight-loss treatments continues to grow. The WHO emphasized that obesity is not simply the result of lifestyle choices, but a complex chronic condition involving genetic, environmental, biological, and social factors. It is a major factor in the development of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer, and can also worsen the prognosis of infectious diseases. For many people, losing weight and keeping it off is extremely difficult without medical support. GLP-1 therapies work by mimicking a natural hormone that helps regulate appetite, blood sugar, and digestion. These medications can lead to significant weight loss and health improvements for people with obesity. The UN health agency added these therapies to its Essential Medicines List in 2025 for controlling type 2 diabetes in high-risk groups, and its new guidelines now recommend their long-term use in adults with obesity, except during pregnancy. The recommendation is conditional due to a lack of long-term safety data, uncertainty about maintaining weight loss after treatment ends, high costs, and considerable concern about inequality in access between countries. The WHO explained that weight-loss medications should be used in conjunction with other supportive measures. The most effective treatment combines medication with healthier diets, increased physical activity, and long-term guidance from health professionals. It highlighted that obesity cannot be solved by individuals alone and requires broad action from governments and industry to create healthier food environments and ensure early intervention for people at risk. The demand for GLP-1 medications already far outstrips supply. More than 1 billion people live with this condition worldwide, and the World Health Organization endorses including these medications as part of the treatment to combat that rampant disease. “As the world's leading health authority, the WHO's statement is expected to influence national policies, insurance coverage, and clinical practice, especially as demand for effective weight-loss treatments continues to grow.” The WHO warned that without adequate policies, these treatments could worsen existing health inequalities, and urged governments to consider tools like pooled procurement, fair pricing, and voluntary licensing to expand access. It also sounded the alarm on the growing circulation of counterfeit or substandard GLP-1 products, driven by the global shortage, and stressed the need for regulated supply chains, qualified prescriptions, and rigorous oversight to protect patients. The guidelines were developed at the request of Member States and were based on scientific evidence, expert reviews, and input from people with obesity. The WHO plans to update the recommendations as new evidence emerges and will collaborate with its partners in 2026 to ensure that people with the most urgent needs are prioritized. Arlene and her mother walk on a beach on the Caribbean island of Tobago to exercise against being overweight and obesity.