GLP-1 Agonists: Wonder Drugs of the 21st Century?

The first drug in a class known as GLP-1 agonists was approved in 2005 to treat diabetes. GLP-1 drugs subsequently proved their mettle to treat obesity and prevent major cardiovascular events and will likely soon be available to treat sleep apnea as well. Looking ahead, their action on the brain is prompting research to gauge their value in curbing drug, alcohol, and nicotine cravings. But these seeming miracle drugs are costly, not always covered by insurance, and generally need to be taken forever. How do they work, what else might they do, and how do we ensure they are accessible to those who need them most? Aspen Ideas: Health takes place on the Aspen Institute’s wondrous 40-acre campus in the Rocky Mountains from June 20-23, 2024. The three-day event, which has opened the renowned Aspen Ideas Festival since 2014, is where health’s biggest challenges meet its biggest thinkers. #AspenIdeasHealth #AspenIdeas For more information about Aspen Ideas: Health, visit https://www.aspenideas.org/attend/health.