Wegovy and similar weight-loss medications are becoming widely prescribed for teenagers with obesity, but little is known about their long-term effects

Drugs like Wegovy may trim your waistline but not medical costs, according to an analysis of U.S. health insurance claims shared with Reuters.

Sir Keir Starmer and his health secretary have been lauding the potential of the new generation of weight-loss drugs. Given as regular injections, the treatments – Wegovy and Mounjaro – mimic a hormone that makes people less hungry.

Hims & Hers is taking a more serious approach to its latest campaign. The telehealth company, which is best known for its lighthearted sexual health and hair loss ads, has bought a series of print ads in the New York Times drawing attention to the obesity epdemic. Hims & Hers began selling weight loss drugs in 2023.

Researchers estimate that expanding access to weight-loss drugs could save over 50,000 lives annually, reducing obesity rates and addressing health inequities. Current drug uptake levels prevent far fewer deaths.

The survey of the 50 states and the District of Columbia found that just 12 Medicaid programs covered the drugs to treat obesity as of July 2024 with some limits on use. Half of the states without coverage said they are considering adding them or evaluating their coverage,

A new study from a pharmacy benefit manager is casting doubt on the benefits of GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss, finding they are associated with a high cost of care with little benefit beyond dropping pounds.

While all state Medicaid programs cover GLP-1 agonists for type 2 diabetes, it’s much less common for them to cover the drugs for obesity. Currently, just 13 state Medicaid programs cover GLP-1s for obesity.