Anti-obesity medications: Risks, benefits and alternatives

Prescriptions for anti-obesity medications have soared. A wave of next-generation therapies is on the way. And researchers are studying whether GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro can have impacts beyond obesity and diabetes, based on emerging clues that they could target addiction, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis — even potentially neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Yet amid the excitement, important questions have arisen about access, cost, equity, and long-term use. Consumers are also asking how these drugs align with longstanding advice about nutrition, exercise, mental health, and positive body image. Our expert panel will answer your questions.

*SPEAKERS*

*Caroline Apovian*, Obesity Medicine Specialist and Co-director of the Center for Weight Management and Wellness at Brigham and Women’s Hospital

*Bryn Austin*, S. Jean Emans, MD, Endowed Chair in Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital

*Uma Naidoo*, Director of Nutritional, Lifestyle, and Metabolic Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital; Professional Chef; Nutritional Biologist; and Author
*Fatima Cody Stanford*, Obesity Medicine Physician Scientist, Massachusetts General Hospital

*MODERATOR*

*Mallika Marshall*, Medical Reporter, WBZ-TV and CBS News Boston

*Sharing diverse perspectives on public health. Speakers do not speak for Harvard.*

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