Obesity affects more than one billion people worldwide and remains a leading cause of chronic disease and premature death. To address this growing global challenge, the World Health Organization (WHO) has developed a guideline on the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) based therapies, including GLP-1 receptor agonists and GLP-1/GIP dual agonists, for adults living with obesity.
Join us at the virtual launch event in a webinar hosted by WHO in collaboration with the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) on 1 December 2025 at 16:00 CET. This event will bring together WHO leadership, Ministers of Health, global experts and civil society to raise awareness and promote the adoption of this new standard in chronic obesity care. The webinar is intended for a wide audience, including policy-makers, expert advisers, and technical and programme staff in ministries and organizations involved in the design, implementation and scale-up of obesity prevention and management.
The guideline marks a significant shift in how obesity is managed globally. It recognizes obesity as a chronic, complex disease that requires lifelong care and positions GLP-1 therapies as part of a comprehensive treatment strategy that combines medication, behavioral support focused on a healthy diet and physical activity, and long-term follow-up. While these therapies represent a breakthrough in obesity treatment, medicine alone will not solve the problem. Ensuring equitable access and strengthening health systems will be essential to prevent widening health disparities.