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The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued its first-ever guidelines on the use of GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) therapies for obesity, underscoring that these medications may help many patients but cannot, on their own, resolve what the agency describes as a rapidly escalating global health emergency.
WHO officials said the world is already facing more than 1 billion people living with obesity, a condition that contributed to 3.7 million deaths in 2024. The agency cautioned that without urgent intervention, the number of people affected could double by 2030. GLP-1 therapies—medications that help individuals feel full for longer—are now being recommended for long-term use in adults, with the exception of pregnant women.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO, stressed that the new guidance recognizes obesity as a chronic disease requiring lifelong, comprehensive care. He noted that although medication can support many people, “medication alone won’t solve this global health crisis,” adding that GLP-1 therapies could nonetheless reduce serious health risks for millions.
The agency highlighted that obesity fuels a range of major health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, several cancers, and more severe outcomes from infectious illnesses. WHO estimates that the economic burden could reach $3 trillion annually by 2030, reinforcing the need for systemic, early and sustained approaches to treatment.
Alongside GLP-1 treatment, the guidelines also recommend intensive behavioral interventions such as structured healthy eating plans and physical activity programs. These measures, according to the WHO, may significantly improve long-term outcomes when used together with medication.
While the new recommendations signal a major milestone, the WHO cautioned that access remains deeply uneven. Fewer than 10% of people who could benefit from GLP-1 therapies are expected to receive them by 2030. Concerns about long-term safety data, costs and global equity influenced the agency’s decision to issue conditional rather than definitive recommendations.
The guidelines form part of WHO’s broader call for healthier living environments, early interventions for high-risk groups and more person-centered approaches to care. In September, the organization added GLP-1 therapies to its Essential Medicines List for managing type 2 diabetes among high-risk populations.
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