A Shot at a Healthier Future: The Transformative Potential of GLP-1s

Obesity is now a major driver of health and economic strain in the United States, costing more than $400 billion annually. This report highlights how GLP-1 therapies, originally designed for diabetes, are emerging as transformative treatments for obesity, offering clinically meaningful weight loss and reduced risks for chronic conditions. It also examines the broader ripple effects—from improved workforce participation to lower transportation fuel use—and the need for supportive policies to expand access. By linking science, economics, and public health, it argues that GLP-1 adoption could be a turning point for national health and productivity.