Obesity and related conditions like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and musculoskeletal concerns have been increasing in prevalence and severity in recent years. The costs of treating obesity and its related conditions are also on the rise for employers.
New medications — glucagon-like peptide-1s (GLP-1s) — are producing exciting results for patients with obesity, including significant weight loss, improved health outcomes, and improved quality of life. Paired with intensive lifestyle and behavioral programs, GLP-1s are game-changers in the treatment of obesity. GLP-1 medications drive both costs and savings for individuals and their employers. While the costs of GLP-1 medications are high, the costs of not addressing weight health and the conditions associated with excess weight are higher.
As employers and payers grapple with balancing escalating short-term costs with the potential for long-term savings, WeightWatchers for Business partnered with Santa Barbara Actuaries to dive into the complex numbers. The resulting analysis, presented in this white paper, is the only third-party–validated GLP-1 return on investment (ROI) model for employers.