Nisha Pandey

Could GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Help People Take Fewer Sick Days? New Study Says So

GLP-1 drugs widely used to manage and treat obesity and type 2 diabetes may also help people stay healthier at work. A new study finding that the medications were associated with a 17.3% reduction in absence due to sickness among employed adults.

The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Copenhagen, the University of Chicago, Duke University, and the ROCKWOOL Foundation, analyzed nationwide Danish health and employment records to examine whether GLP-1 treatment affects the conditions of labour market.

Researchers found that people who started GLP-1 therapy experienced significantly fewer episodes of medically certified sick leave lasting longer than 30 days compared with similar patients who began treatment later.

"We find that GLP-1 treatment reduces long-term sickness absence by 17.3% over four years," the researchers wrote in the working paper.

The reduction became more pronounced over time, increasing from around 0.8 percentage points in the first two years after treatment began to 1.1 percentage points during years three and four. 

<h2>Benefits Of GLP-1 Drugs Beyond Weight Loss</h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/can-ozempic-like-glp-1-drugs-slow-aging-boost-longevity-article-154821791" data-type="tilCustomLink">Can Ozempic-Like GLP-1 Drugs Slow Aging, Boost Longevity?</a>

GLP-1 receptor agonists, including <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/novo-nordisks-glp-1-drug-wegovy-approved-for-fatty-liver-disease-in-india-article-155115995" data-type="tilCustomLink">Ozempic and Wegovy</a>, have become best known for helping people lose weight. However, researchers say their benefits may extend well beyond weight loss. The study also found that patients receiving GLP-1 therapy had:

<ul><li>Fewer emergency department visits.</li><li>Lower use of cardiovascular medications.</li><li>Reduced reliance on long-term sickness benefits.</li></ul>

Together, these statistics translated into estimated annual savings equivalent to 1.3% to 1.5% of an employed person's yearly income through fewer prolonged absences from work.

"Our findings suggest meaningful fiscal spillovers from <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/glp-1-weight-loss-drugs-show-promise-for-17-million-with-binge-eating-disorder-suggests-study-article-155109275" data-type="tilCustomLink">GLP-1 treatment</a> through reduced sickness absence," the authors said.

However, the researchers found no significant evidence that the medications increased overall employment, labor-force participation, or earnings during the four-year follow-up period.

<h2>How Can GLP-1 Drugs Reduce Sick Leave?</h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/novo-nordisk-launches-awiqli-in-india-all-about-the-worlds-first-once-weekly-insulin-article-155014550" data-type="tilCustomLink">Novo Nordisk Launches Awiqli In India: All About The World's First Once-Weekly Insulin</a>

The researchers believe the medications likely improve people's overall health enough to reduce serious illnesses that keep them away from work.

GLP-1 drugs work by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, which helps regulate appetite, blood sugar and digestion. They are known to:

<ul><li>Improve <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/wegovy-more-likely-to-cause-rare-blindness-than-ozempic-and-other-similar-drugs-recent-study-finds-article-155092798" data-type="tilCustomLink">blood sugar</a> control.</li><li>Promote substantial weight loss.</li><li>Lower the risk of cardiovascular complications.</li><li>Reduce obesity-related health problems.</li></ul>

These health improvements may translate into fewer hospital visits and fewer prolonged medical absences.

Oprah Winfrey Gains Weight After Quitting Ozempic

The researchers cautioned that the findings should not be interpreted as evidence that GLP-1 drugs automatically improve workplace productivity.

The study was based on Danish national data, where healthcare access and paid sick-leave policies differ from those in countries such as the United States and India.

In addition, the study focused on patients prescribed <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/demand-for-wegovy-weight-loss-pills-could-increases-the-risk-of-dangerous-counterfeits-survey-article-154953255" data-type="tilCustomLink">GLP-1 medications</a> for medical reasons, including obesity and type 2 diabetes, rather than people using the drugs primarily for cosmetic weight loss.

The findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting GLP-1 drugs may offer benefits beyond managing diabetes and obesity. Previous research has linked these medications to lower risks of heart disease, kidney disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and certain liver conditions.

If confirmed across different countries, the latest findings suggest that the drugs could also provide broader economic benefits by reducing long-term sickness absence and easing the burden on healthcare systems.

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GLP-1 drugs widely used to manage and treat obesity and type 2 diabetes may also help people stay healthier at work. A new study finding that the medications were associated with a 17.3% reduction in absence due to sickness among employed adults.The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Copenhagen, the University of Chicago, Duke University, and the ROCKWOOL Foundation, analyzed nationwide Danish health and employment records to examine whether GLP-1 treatment affects the conditions of labour market.Researchers found that people who started GLP-1 therapy experienced significantly fewer episodes of medically certified sick leave lasting longer than 30 days compared with similar patients who began treatment later."We find that GLP-1 treatment reduces long-term sickness absence by 17.3% over four years," the researchers wrote in the working paper.The reduction became more pronounced over time, increasing from around 0.8 percentage points in the first two years after treatment began to 1.1 percentage points during years three and four. Benefits Of GLP-1 Drugs Beyond Weight LossAlso read: Can Ozempic-Like GLP-1 Drugs Slow Aging, Boost Longevity?GLP-1 receptor agonists, including Ozempic and Wegovy, have become best known for helping people lose weight. However, researchers say their benefits may extend well beyond weight loss. The study also found that patients receiving GLP-1 therapy had:Fewer emergency department visits.Lower use of cardiovascular medications.Reduced reliance on long-term sickness benefits.Together, these statistics translated into estimated annual savings equivalent to 1.3% to 1.5% of an employed person's yearly income through fewer prolonged absences from work."Our findings suggest meaningful fiscal spillovers from GLP-1 treatment through reduced sickness absence," the authors said.However, the researchers found no significant evidence that the medications increased overall employment, labor-force participation, or earnings during the four-year follow-up period.How Can GLP-1 Drugs Reduce Sick Leave?Also read: Novo Nordisk Launches Awiqli In India: All About The World's First Once-Weekly InsulinThe researchers believe the medications likely improve people's overall health enough to reduce serious illnesses that keep them away from work.GLP-1 drugs work by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, which helps regulate appetite, blood sugar and digestion. They are known to:Improve blood sugar control.Promote substantial weight loss.Lower the risk of cardiovascular complications.Reduce obesity-related health problems.These health improvements may translate into fewer hospital visits and fewer prolonged medical absences.Researchers Warn         The researchers cautioned that the findings should not be interpreted as evidence that GLP-1 drugs automatically improve workplace productivity.The study was based on Danish national data, where healthcare access and paid sick-leave policies differ from those in countries such as the United States and India.In addition, the study focused on patients prescribed GLP-1 medications for medical reasons, including obesity and type 2 diabetes, rather than people using the drugs primarily for cosmetic weight loss.The findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting GLP-1 drugs may offer benefits beyond managing diabetes and obesity. Previous research has linked these medications to lower risks of heart disease, kidney disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and certain liver conditions.If confirmed across different countries, the latest findings suggest that the drugs could also provide broader economic benefits by reducing long-term sickness absence and easing the burden on healthcare systems.

could glp-1 weight loss drugs help people take fewer sick days? new study says so

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Can One Partner's Dementia Raise the Other's Risk? New Study Suggests An Interesting Link

Could GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Help People Take Fewer Sick Days? New Study Says So

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