By Stacy M. Brown Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

When Serena Williams told NBC’s “TODAY” show, “I just couldn’t get my weight to where I needed to be at a healthy place and believe me, I don’t take shortcuts. I do everything but shortcuts,” she added her voice to the growing list of public figures discussing the use of GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro.

Williams said she has lost 31 pounds since beginning the medication in 2023 and launched a campaign with telehealth company Ro to reduce stigma around the drugs. Across the United States, the demand for these drugs has surged. A 2024 Gallup survey found that 6% of U.S. adults—about 15.5 million people—report having used injectable diabetes medicines for weight loss, including 3% currently using them. F

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