The World Health Organization has issued its first guidance on the use of GLP-1 therapies for chronic, relapsing obesity, making it part of the agency’s broader plan to address the global obesity crisis.

The guidance calls for “urgent action” to expand manufacturing and improve affordability of the drugs, warning that even with a rapid increase in production, GLP-1 medication would reach fewer than 10% of people worldwide who could benefit.

WHO issued conditional recommendations for using GLP-1 therapies to treat obesity, alongside healthy eating habits and regular exercise. The recommendation is conditional because of concerns over long-term efficacy and safety, high costs, health system readiness, and equity in access.

“Obesity is a major global health challenge that WHO is committed

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