The UK government is considering offering weight-loss injections to unemployed individuals living with obesity, a move that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described as “very important” for both the economy and the healthcare system.
Tackling obesity and unemployment
The initiative, which involves using medications such as Mounjaro (tirzepatide), aims to assist individuals in losing weight and rejoining the workforce. Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized the potential of these jabs to be “life-changing” for those who need them and to ease pressure on the health system.
In an opinion piece for The Telegraph, Streeting explained, “Widening waistbands are also placing a significant burden on our health service.”
“The long-term benefits of these drugs could be monumental in our approach to tackling obesity,” he added. Currently, obesity-related illnesses cost the NHS approximately £11 billion a year.
Investment in the UK’s health innovation
This proposal was announced at an international investment summit where the government confirmed a £279 million investment from pharmaceutical giant Lilly, the world’s largest pharmaceutical company. This partnership is expected to accelerate drug development, including the weight-loss treatment Mounjaro, which is already used to suppress appetite and treat obesity and diabetes.
A key part of the government’s plan includes real-world trials to evaluate the effectiveness of weight-loss programs in reducing unemployment due to health issues.
A five-year study, conducted by Health Innovation Manchester in collaboration with Lilly, will assess the impact of these treatments on unemployment and NHS service usage. The trial will take place in Greater Manchester.
Economic benefits of reducing obesity
Streeting also highlighted the potential economic benefits of the initiative, pointing out that reducing obesity could lead to fewer sick days and help people stay in employment. “Illness caused by obesity causes people to take an extra four sick days a year on average, while many others are forced out of work altogether,” he noted.
However, he stressed that these medications are not a replacement for personal responsibility in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. “Individuals will still need to take healthy living more seriously. The NHS can’t be expected to always pick up the tab for unhealthy lifestyles,” he said.
He continued, “As a country, we’re eating more, eating less healthily, and exercising less. The costs to the individual are clear – a less healthy and shorter life.”
NHS perspective on weight-loss medications
Some weight-loss medications, including Wegovy and Ozempic, are already prescribed by the NHS. These medications work by mimicking the hormone GLP-1, which makes people feel fuller and less hungry. Experts, however, caution that these drugs should not be seen as a quick fix or a substitute for a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Amanda Pritchard, the chief executive of the NHS, has called these drugs a “game-changer” for public health, noting their potential to significantly reduce the risk of diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes.
Lilly’s chairman and chief executive, David A. Ricks, echoed the importance of the collaboration, stating, “We welcome this opportunity to partner with the UK Government on tackling and preventing disease, and accelerating innovation to advance care delivery models.”
This initiative marks a significant step forward in the government’s efforts to address the growing health and economic challenges posed by obesity. If successful, it could pave the way for broader use of medical interventions in public health strategies aimed at improving quality of life and reducing unemployment.