Weight loss jabs for unemployed not dystopian, says Wes Streeting
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has rejected claims that the proposal to offer weight loss injections to unemployed individuals struggling with obesity is "dystopian."
The UK government is collaborating with the pharmaceutical company Lilly to conduct a five-year study in Greater Manchester. The aim is to explore whether the weight-loss medication Mounjaro can assist in helping more individuals return to work and reduce the risk of obesity-related illnesses, ultimately lightening the burden on England's NHS.
The announcement sparked strong criticism, with claims that the government was labeling unemployed people negatively and treating them merely as their financial worth.
In an interview with Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday, Streeting discussed the vaccinations as a component of a larger healthcare strategy. He emphasized that he does not support a grim scenario where individuals who are unemployed and overweight are forced to receive shots against their will.
"Many studies have shown that these vaccines, along with modifications in diet and physical activity, can assist individuals in losing weight while also lowering the risk of heart disease and diabetes, which is a significant breakthrough," Streeting stated.
However, he warned that we should be careful not to foster a "culture of reliance."
Certain injections are currently available through the NHS for managing obesity as well as for individuals with diabetes.
Streeting stated that health issues associated with obesity drain £11 billion annually from the NHS.
Obesity is also associated with the onset of type 2 diabetes, leading the NHS to allocate approximately £10 billion annually—about 9% of its budget—towards managing diabetes care.
The most recent Health Survey for England conducted by the NHS reveals that in 2022, 29% of adults in England were classified as obese, while 64% were considered overweight or struggling with obesity.
Streeting mentioned that he anticipates the "demand" for new weight-loss medications to exceed the available resources from the NHS.
The trial in the UK is the first of its kind in the world and aims to assess how it affects the employment opportunities for as many as 3,000 individuals struggling with obesity in the Greater Manchester region.
Previously, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer mentioned to the BBC that the injections would be "extremely beneficial" for individuals looking to shed pounds and improve their health.
"This medication plays a crucial role for our NHS. While it's true that we need additional funding, we also need to approach things from a new perspective."
Professor Simon Capewell, a public health specialist at Liverpool University, criticized the proposals as "unethical." He argued that they focus on economic motives rather than putting the individual’s health and well-being first.
Obesity specialist Dr. Dolly van Tulleken mentioned that, in addition to the significant ethical, financial, and effectiveness issues, the proposals are also impractical.
According to Dr. Van Tuelleken, the number of people who qualify for this plan is in the millions, but the specialist weight management services can only accommodate 49,000 individuals annually.
The earlier approach of "evaluating individuals by their potential economic worth instead of focusing mainly on their needs and health requirements" had been poorly received in the past, she explained during her appearance on BBC Radio 4's Today program.
Streeting supported the government's choice to evaluate how weight loss medications affect the economy.
"According to Streeting, reversing the current trends of obesity would greatly benefit the country's overall health."
Better public health is also advantageous for the nation's financial well-being, he noted.
The Labour party pledged to transform the NHS by focusing more on preventing illness rather than just treating it.
On Monday, Streeting will begin a consultation to discuss ideas like providing patients with smartwatches and other wearable technology to monitor their health and tackle serious illnesses, including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
Labour's decade-long strategy for the NHS involves increasing weekend operations to help reduce waiting times and establishing community health centers to alleviate the pressure on hospitals.
Streeting mentioned to the BBC that the government plans to connect funding for NHS trusts to how effectively they can carry out reforms.
When asked whether hospitals and trusts could face consequences for not cooperating, he responded, "It’s essential that we oversee their performance."
The government is said to be exploring options to adjust NHS funding in order to prevent trusts from accumulating debt and requiring financial assistance.
Streeting expressed to the BBC, “A concerning trend within the NHS is the acceptance of a culture where trusts accumulate significant deficits year after year without facing the same accountability that local councils do.”
