New Weight Loss Drug Could Cut US Death Rate by Over 6% – Experts Say
A new wave of weight loss treatments could reshape the future of healthcare and insurance, experts warn.
Swiss Re, one of the world’s leading reinsurance companies, has revealed that the widespread adoption of GLP-1 obesity drugs could lead to a dramatic drop in death rates across the United States.
Their latest report suggests that by 2045, the annual mortality rate could fall by as much as 6.4%, provided these drugs are used extensively alongside sustained lifestyle changes.
The GLP-1 class of medications, including household names such as Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s Zepbound, has seen a surge in demand, with analysts predicting combined global sales could hit US$150 billion annually by the end of the decade.
With over 1 billion people living with obesity today, we project GLP-1 use could cut cumulative mortality by 4% in the US and 3.2% in the UK by 2045 – a shift with major implications for longevity and insurance. Read our new report: https://t.co/AIXroNRvcM pic.twitter.com/V5wdgeNMuh
— Swiss Re (@SwissRe) September 17, 2025
This boom has caught the attention of insurers and healthcare providers alike, given its potential to ease the burden of obesity-related illnesses.
However, recent developments around Eli Lilly’s pricing adjustments could influence uptake patterns in the UK market.
Swiss Re’s research highlights that these new weight loss drugs would have “significant implications” for medical and life insurance sectors, particularly in countries grappling with high obesity rates like the US and the UK.
Paul Murray, Swiss Re’s head of life and health reinsurance, explained the opportunity clearly: “If the insurance industry can encourage people to make lifestyle changes to prevent obesity-related disease, ‘we can strengthen the insurance safety net and contribute to people living longer, healthier lives.’”
The company’s projections are based on scenarios where GLP-1 drugs are widely prescribed and supported by efforts to promote healthier living.
Under the most optimistic outlook, mortality from any cause could drop by 6.4% in the US by 2045. Even in a more conservative scenario, the reduction would still be a noteworthy 2.3%.
For the UK, the outlook is equally promising though somewhat less dramatic. Depending on usage patterns and how far lifestyle changes are embraced, Swiss Re forecasts that Britain could see a decline in mortality between 1.8% and 5.1% over the same period.
The study’s focus on the US and UK is no coincidence. Both nations suffer from rising obesity rates and a growing appetite for pharmaceutical interventions.
This development marks a turning point. The rise of new weight loss drugs isn’t just about slimming down; it’s about living longer and reshaping insurance models.
But experts stress that for these benefits to materialise, access, adherence, and behavioural change must all move in tandem.
The message is clear: pharmaceuticals alone won’t cut it. Lifestyle change is crucial. The insurance sector could play a pivotal role in encouraging that shift, with potentially life-saving outcomes.
