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NHS Savings: £17bn Boost from Fat Jabs & Exercise
13 Feb
Summary
- GLP-1 drugs combined with exercise can cut hospital costs by 63% within a year.
- Moderate exercise is defined as 5,000 steps, three times weekly.
- The NHS could save £17bn annually if obese individuals use these treatments.
New data indicates that integrating GLP-1 weight loss drugs with moderate exercise could lead to substantial savings for the NHS, potentially reaching £17bn per year. Health insurer Vitality found that patients combining these medications with physical activity saw their in-hospital costs decrease by 63% within twelve months.
Even without adopting an exercise regimen, hospital costs could fall by a third on average post-treatment. Moderate exercise is characterized as achieving around 5,000 steps per day at least three times a week. The reduction in costs is attributed to shorter hospital stays and fewer severe complications.
Vitality's findings highlight that if all individuals classified as clinically obese were to receive these jabs and increase their physical activity, the total savings could amount to £17bn. However, it is noted that 13% of those who stopped exercising after starting medication regained weight.
Dr. Katie Tryon, Deputy CEO of Vitality, emphasized that this integrated approach can improve patient health outcomes and reduce the significant financial burden of obesity and diabetes on healthcare systems globally.
