Use of Weight Loss Drugs Rises Nationwide as Serena Williams Shares Her Story

August 29, 2025

Tennis legend Serena Williams has joined other public figures in discussing her use of GLP-1 medications for weight loss, revealing she lost 31 pounds since beginning treatment in 2023. These medications, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, have seen surging demand across the United States, with various surveys indicating between 6-12% of U.S. adults have used them for weight loss. While most users report the medications as effective, high costs remain a significant barrier, with monthly prices ranging from $936 to $1,349 before insurance, and medical guidelines typically recommend these drugs for adults with specific BMI thresholds and continued long-term use to maintain results.

Who is affected

U.S. adults using or considering GLP-1 medications for weight loss (approximately 15.5 million people)
People with health issues, including 43% of adults with diabetes, 26% with heart disease, and 22% who were told they were overweight or obese
Black adults, who are more likely than white adults to have used these medications (18% vs. 10%)
People facing financial barriers to accessing these medications (54% of GLP-1 users reported difficulty affording them)
42% of U.S. adults affected by obesity

What action is being taken

Serena Williams is launching a campaign with telehealth company Ro to reduce stigma around weight loss drugs
Pharmaceutical companies Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are producing and marketing GLP-1 medications for weight management
Healthcare providers are prescribing these medications for adults with specific BMI thresholds (30 or greater, or 27 with weight-related conditions)

Why it matters

These medications provide a potentially effective option for the 42% of U.S. adults affected by obesity, which has increased sharply over the past three decades
The majority of Americans (65%) believe willpower alone isn't enough for sustainable weight loss
The medications show significant effectiveness with 64% of users reporting them as "effective" or "extremely effective"
Cost barriers create potential inequities in access to these treatments
High-profile figures like Serena Williams speaking openly may help reduce stigma around medically-supported weight management

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint