GLP-1s like Ozempic and Wegovy are all the rage now — and for patients with
Wondr Health, a weight management program provider, surveyed over 700 employees across 50 organizations about which factors are most important to consider when taking weight-loss medications: Lifestyle guidance ranked first with 78% of the votes, followed by
"It looks like employees really care about lifestyle changes, which makes me happy because it means they know what's critical to the success of these medications," says Dr. Tim Church, chief medical officer at Wondr Health. "These medications are not one-and-done, but an important tool in the toolbox."
Read more:
Surprisingly, the cost did not make it into the top five concerns, with 57% voting it as the most important factor. This may hint to employees knowing they have employer support rather than thinking they have to buy it out-of-pocket. Dr. Church notes that FDA approval ranked even lower, at 39%, hinting at possible mistrust of the agency. Implications for long-term use ranked last, which for Dr. Church is actually good news.
"They're not concerned about these medications being used for long-term use because they shouldn't be used long-term," he says. "So I see that as a positive."
Mental health support ranked third to last, with 54% of votes. For Dr. Church, this was another good sign — it means over half of employees understand that weight management is deeper than what they look like. He stresses that there are stigmas attached to bigger bodies, and if someone does lose weight, they will likely find that they aren't treated the same. And while the treatment can be positive, it doesn't mean the person won't be hurt by seeing the obvious biases people attach to their bodies.
Read more:
"If you lose 60 or 70 pounds, every time you walk into a room, you're going to be treated differently than you used to be, and you have to help people work through that," says Dr. Church.
At the same time, people may attach expectations to weight loss that are not met, making them feel their changes aren't worth it. From career growth to better relationships with family members and partners, some may feel their weight is the direct cause of a lot of negativity in their lives, explains Dr. Church.
"It's important to help people set realistic expectations around their weight loss," he says. "You have to help people understand what is and what is not going to change."
Wondr Health does provide a mental wellness program that focuses on addressing the stressors and confusion users may be facing on their weight-loss journey. Dr. Church advises employers who are considering adding GLP-1 guidance or weight-loss benefits to partner with benefit providers that are looking at employee health holistically.
Read more:
"We're treating human beings — we're not treating numbers on the scale," he says. "We're complicated creatures that live in a complicated environment. So you want solutions that help the whole human and give people practical solutions they can use every day."
Ideally, employers should look for proof of ROI from their benefit partners and ensure that the platform is engaging and producing positive health outcomes. For Dr. Church, weight management is ultimately about disease prevention and longer, healthier lives. If employers want to see lower healthcare costs, then they need benefits that help employees improve their health for the long haul.
"We truly have the tools to create prevention," says Dr. Church. "And isn't it about time we start shifting the healthcare dollar from treatment to prevention?"
