WHO Foundation and Lilly Collaborate to Enhance Obesity Care

The WHO Foundation has joined forces with Eli Lilly and Company to bolster global health systems for obesity prevention and care. As obesity remains a significant global health challenge, affecting over 2.5 billion adults and 390 million children worldwide, this collaboration seeks to address the issue as a public health priority.

Lilly pledges $1.68 million until 2029 to support these efforts. The collaboration aims to improve access to early diagnosis, counseling, and care, focusing on equitable and sustainable responses in resource-limited settings. Anil Soni, CEO of the WHO Foundation, emphasizes the importance of integrating evidence-based policies and developing training standards to provide stigma-free care.

This partnership intends to slow the global progression of obesity by identifying care gaps, strengthening primary health care, and creating prevention pathways where needed most. Patrik Jonsson, Executive Vice President at Lilly, highlights the necessity of helping health systems recognize and tackle obesity to prevent related health complications.