A new study has highlighted the apparent economic benefits of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, such as reducing long-term absences, saving money for employers and governments, and boosting productivity.
| PULSE POINTS |
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: A new study has revealed that GLP-1 weight-loss drugs reduced long-term sick leave by almost 20 percent. 📺 DETAIL: According to a new study by the National Bureau of Economic Research, GLP-1 drugs reduced long-term sick leave by 17 percent. compared to those who did not take them. The study defined long-term sick leave as health-related absences longer than 30 days. The study analyzed data from Denmark, where long-term sick leave, which is also defined as longer than 30 days, is government-funded. The study found that reduced absences from work saved employers up to 1.5 percent of an individual’s salary, approximately $866 on average. GLP-1 drugs appear to improve certain health outcomes, including lowering the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular problems, which often lead to extended absences from work. As such, GLP-1 drugs are prescribed to those with obesity or diabetes. “Imagine you take two days off, your employer would still pay your salary… Now they still pay your salary, but you don’t take the time off,” said Jonathan Zhang, Professor at Duke University and one of the study’s co-authors. “There are fiscal benefits, but that doesn’t look like savings for the patient or the individual, because sick leave benefits are so generous,” Zhang added. 💬 KEY QUOTE: “In the U.S., which doesn’t have the generous sick leave policy of Denmark, people get sick and they go to work. They’re less productive because they feel crappy,” Zhang told CBS News. 🎯 IMPACT: In countries where long-term sick leave benefits are generous, GLP-1 drugs could potentially help employers and governments save money. Meanwhile, in countries in which long-term sick leave benefits are comparatively less generous, the drugs could help reduce “presenteeism,” when employees are unable to complete tasks at a normal rate due to health issues. They could also stop sick workers from spreading their illness to colleagues. As such, GLP-1 drugs could help boost productivity. GLP-1 drugs may also potentially save money for airlines and help reduce cancer. |
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