Weight debates: Exploring diverse approaches to weight care
As GLP-1s reshape the healthcare landscape, questions are emerging around medication shortages and compounding, long-term treatment options, and impact on mental health.
Rock Health Advisory’s latest webinar brought together innovators and clinical leaders to discuss the ever-evolving weight care landscape. They tackled these pressing questions:
What happens with compounded GLP-1 options (and the companies offering them) as shortages are resolved?
- As the FDA actively balances quality control with access needs, ongoing policy decisions need to be informed by more than manufacturer-reported data—objective measures must be developed to provide a more accurate understanding of access and supply realities.
- Dr. Craig Primack, SVP of Weight Management, Hims & Hers and Jason Johnson, Partner, Crowell & Moring discussed how healthcare leaders are navigating medication shortages and compounding, and developing innovative solutions to realistically expand treatment access.
Are weight care drugs “lifetime drugs” or not? Is it realistic to expect to wean people off—and if so, what support will they need?
- Only 14% of consumers are willing to start treatment if told it’s a lifetime medication—and 50-67% of patients come off the medication after one year. Sustainable weight care requires consideration of these realities as weight care innovators build programs to support participants with a broad set of tools including cognitive behavioral therapy, physical activity, nutritional information, and community support.
- Elina Onitskansky, Founder and CEO, Ilant Health and Kevin Kumler, President, Virta Health explored why there’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach to weight care, and how to create individualized treatment plans that consider lifestyle, support systems, preferences, and long-term sustainability.
What impact might weight care drugs have on mental health and health outcomes more broadly?
- Weight is not a proxy for health, and fixating on a singular metric can precipitate dangerous mental health outcomes like body image issues and eating disorders. As the weight care landscape evolves, more holistic measurements of overall health are needed.
- Brooke Boyarsky Pratt, Founder and CEO, knownwell and Dr. Cara Bohon, SVP of Clinical Programs, Equip considered how the rise of GLP-1s is reshaping public discussion around body size—and the importance of addressing both physical and psychological aspects of weight care.
For even more weight care insights, check out our in-depth analysis “Weighing in: Consumer perspectives on weight care.”
Rock Health Advisory is a digital health strategy group that helps enterprise companies understand and act on opportunities, craft novel solutions, and succeed in an evolving healthcare landscape. Reach out for support on your weight care innovation strategy.