WHO Foundation and Lilly collaborate to strengthen global obesity care systems
The WHO Foundation has announced a new collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company aimed at strengthening health systems to improve obesity prevention, diagnosis and care worldwide.
Under the agreement, Lilly will commit $1.68 million to the WHO Foundation through to 2029 to support initiatives focused on assessing and strengthening health systems’ capacity to address obesity. The collaboration is designed to help countries, particularly those with limited resources, better respond to the growing global burden of obesity.
The initiative will focus on identifying gaps in care and supporting countries to develop stronger systems for early diagnosis, counselling and treatment. It also aims to reduce the economic impact of obesity and support more equitable access to care.
Anil Soni, Chief Executive Officer of the WHO Foundation, said addressing obesity effectively requires health systems capable of delivering long-term, coordinated care. “Addressing obesity at scale requires more than individual programmes. It requires health systems that are prepared to respond across the life course,” he said.
Soni added that the collaboration will support the WHO Foundation’s work with countries to identify gaps in care and develop the infrastructure needed to deliver evidence-based obesity prevention and treatment strategies.
“This collaboration is about supporting health systems to diagnose the gaps and build the necessary architecture by helping countries integrate evidence-based policies, develop training standards to equip the health workforce and deliver equitable, stigma-free care over time for all age groups,” he said.
The partnership will also support efforts to strengthen primary healthcare systems and improve pathways for obesity prevention and management in settings where resources are limited and healthcare access can be challenging.
Patrik Jonsson, Executive Vice President and President of Lilly International, said improving recognition and treatment of obesity within health systems is critical to tackling the disease and preventing related complications. “People living with obesity deserve to receive the care they need to overcome this disease and avoid related health complications,” he said.
“By supporting efforts that help health systems recognise and respond to obesity, we aim to slow the global progression of this disease.”
Jonsson added that Lilly’s collaboration with the WHO Foundation will help countries assess gaps in obesity care, strengthen primary healthcare services and develop more effective prevention and treatment pathways in areas where the need is greatest.