The growing demand for weight loss medications in the United States has gained another powerful spotlight after Serena Williams revealed her own experience with them. Speaking on NBC’s TODAY show, Williams admitted she had long struggled to reach what she considered a healthy weight despite trying every method possible.
“I just couldn’t get my weight to where I needed it to be at a healthy place, and believe me, I don’t take shortcuts. I do everything but shortcuts,” Williams explained. She confirmed she had turned to GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy and has since lost 31 pounds.
Williams also announced a partnership with Ro, a telehealth company, to help reduce the stigma surrounding the drugs. Her decision, she said, was about health, mobility, and feeling like herself again.
Serena’s revelation comes as data shows a sharp rise in GLP-1 usage across the country. A 2024 Gallup survey found that 6% of U.S. adults roughly 15.5 million people have tried injectable diabetes drugs for weight loss. About 3% were current users.
The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) reported even higher numbers, with one in eight adults (12%) saying they had used a GLP-1 drug at some point. Black adults (18%) were significantly more likely than white adults (10%) to report use.
Effectiveness appears to be a key factor driving demand. Gallup’s numbers showed that nearly two-thirds of users found the drugs “effective” or “extremely effective.” Among current users, that number rose to 73%, compared to 53% of past users.
Despite positive results, affordability remains a challenge. According to KFF, more than half of people who have taken GLP-1s said paying for them was difficult. List prices range between $936 and $1,349 per month before insurance coverage, making access uneven across income levels.
Still, the financial rewards for drugmakers are immense. Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide-based medications, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus, generated $21.1 billion in 2023, with most of the revenue coming from the U.S. Eli Lilly’s competing drug, Mounjaro, brought in $5.2 billion in its first full year on the market.
The Obesity Medicine Association notes that these medications are typically prescribed for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 with weight-related health conditions. Studies show average weight loss between 5% and 21%, but results vary, and many people regain weight if treatment stops.
Doctors generally recommend long-term use for sustained results. This reality makes Serena’s campaign with Ro even more important, as it encourages open discussion about access, stigma, and realistic expectations.
For Williams, the choice was about reclaiming her health after years of physical strain from professional tennis and motherhood. “I had a lot of issues with my knees, especially after I had my kid. That, quite frankly, definitely had an effect on maybe some wins that I could have had in my career,” she said.
Now, she says, “I just feel normal again. It feels really good.”
The story of Serena Williams a global icon and role model adds a deeply personal dimension to a public health trend. As millions turn to GLP-1s for help with weight management, her openness may not only shift perceptions but also expand conversations about health, affordability, and the future of obesity care in America.
