Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology
Vol. 14, Issue 2
Date of Publication:
February 2026
This article examines global eligibility for GLP-1 receptor agonists as obesity treatments across 99 countries. Using cross-national epidemiological and health system data, the authors estimate the size and distribution of populations potentially eligible for GLP-1 therapies under current clinical guidelines. The study highlights major disparities in access to obesity treatment between countries and discusses the implications of expanding eligibility for healthcare systems, pharmaceutical affordability, and global noncommunicable disease policy. The findings contribute to debates about equitable access to emerging obesity therapies and the future management of obesity-related chronic disease worldwide.
Citations
Yoo SGK, Teufel F, Theilmann M, Si Y, Toure EA, Aryal K, Bärnighausen T, Bait A, Barreto M, Bovet P, Brant LCC, Cuschieri S, Damasceno A, Farzadfar F, Fawwad A, Geldsetzer P, Hambleton IR, Houehanou C, Howitt C, Jørgensen J, González-Rivas JP, Labadarios D, Marcus M, Martins J, Mwalim O, Nieto-Martínez R, Odili AN, Orazumbekova B, Perman G, Quesnel-Crooks S, Moghaddam SS, Sewpal R, Sousa-Uva M, Sulola MA, Venkataraman K, Vollmer S, Xueling S, Atun R, Banegas JR, Franco JVA, Arnott C, Chandiwana N, Huffman MD, Davies J, Ali MK, Flood D, Manne-Goehler J. GLP-1 receptor agonists for obesity: eligibility across 99 countries. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2026 Feb;14(2):105–108. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(25)00356-0.