Weight-loss jabs could halve sickness absence and ease strain on NHS, study suggests

Sick days among those who took the jabs fell by 45%, with a 56% reduction in long-term absences of five days or more. Photograph: Justin Paget/Getty Images

Weight-loss drugs could halve sickness absence and significantly reduce the strain on the NHS, research suggests.

A UK study of patients who received GLP-1 jabs for nine months found sickness days fell by nearly half and sickness absence lasting five days or more fell by more than 50%. Analysis of the findings suggests expanding access could cut A&E attendance by obese patients by a quarter and free up nearly 10m GP appointments.