The Study That Might Finally Break Open Access to GLP-1s

We’ve said it for a long time. Covering GLP-1 medications isn’t just the right thing to do for your employees. It’s the smart thing. Now, we have the data to back it up.

This week, Aon released the first workforce-centered analysis of its kind. And it could be the turning point we’ve been waiting for. The findings are clear. When employers cover GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro, Zepbound, Wegovy, and Ozempic, and when they offer wraparound support like lifestyle coaching and nutrition counseling, they see a healthier workforce and lower overall costs.

But this wasn’t just a vague claim about cost savings. The report specifically called out reductions in cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes, which are among the most expensive and deadly consequences of obesity. Employers offering GLP-1 coverage saw fewer hospitalizations related to these conditions. They also saw fewer emergency room visits, fewer days missed from work, and better long-term health engagement from employees.

This is what real health transformation looks like.

The Numbers Are In. The Excuses Are Running Out.

According to Aon, employers who provide both the medication and the support structure are seeing measurable improvements in biometric markers like blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol. In other words, they’re not just watching the scale drop. They’re seeing lives change in ways that directly translate to reduced risk and reduced spend.

What makes this study different is that it takes a workforce lens. It’s not just about whether GLP-1s help with weight loss. It’s about whether they move the needle for businesses. And the answer is yes.

Why This Changes the Game for Access

For years, access to GLP-1s has been gated by whether or not an employer decided to include them. Many opted out because of the sticker shock. But this study reframes the cost. These medications don’t just reduce obesity. They reduce downstream costs from heart disease, kidney issues, sleep apnea, and more.

If you’re someone fighting for your employer to cover these medications, this is the data you take to HR. If you’re a benefits consultant, this is what you hand your clients. If you’re a policymaker, this is the argument you take to the hill.

Because now we can say with confidence, the return on investment is real. Not just in dollars saved, but in lives changed.

Use This In Your Self-Advocacy Efforts

Share this report. Use it as fuel. Demand better from your employer. GLP-1 medications are no longer experimental or fringe. They are clinically proven, economically sound, and morally urgent.

We are no longer asking whether they work. We are asking whether the people who need them will be allowed to access them.

See AON’s full report here: https://aon.mediaroom.com/2025-04-30-Aon-Unveils-First-Workforce-Focused-Analysis-on-GLP-1s-Medications-and-Holistic-Support-Can-Transform-Workforce-Health-and-Bend-the-Cost-Curve