01/02/2026
Obesity care is not optional! It's lifesaving.
🌍 A landmark moment for obesity care.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first global living guideline on the use of GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP therapies for the management of obesity - an important step towards improving treatment options for the nearly one billion adults living with obesity worldwide.
✅ We welcome this as a move towards a shared, evidence-based global standard of care - one that can evolve as new evidence emerges and support countries to build more person-centred obesity care programmes.
🧑🤝🧑 Crucially, people living with obesity were meaningfully involved in developing the guideline. Lived experience must be central to obesity policy and clinical guidance if care is to be relevant, respectful and effective.
💊 But medicines alone are not enough. WHO is clear - and we strongly agree - that GLP-1 therapies must be implemented as part of a comprehensive chronic care model, alongside prevention, behavioural support, trained health professionals and strong health systems.
⚖️ Equity must guide implementation. Today, access to these treatments is out of reach for most people - especially in low- and middle-income countries. Without deliberate action, new therapies risk widening existing health inequities.
➡️ Turning guidance into impact will require investment in integrated care, inclusion in UHC benefit packages, affordable pricing strategies, and continued research - particularly in under-resourced settings.
Obesity care is not optional. It is essential. This WHO guideline brings us one step closer to fair, evidence-based treatment for all.
🔗 Read more: https://www.worldobesity.org/news/who-launches-landmark-global-guidelines-on-glp-1-therapies-for-obesity-care
