Ozempic can change your body. Can it change your life?

Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications can improve blood sugar, weight, and cardiovascular health, but researchers found little evidence that they also improve mental health, employment, marriage, or overall well-being. The findings suggest the drugs’ broader life effects may be subtler than their dramatic physical health benefits. GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic have reshaped treatment for Type 2 diabetes. These drugs can help patients manage blood sugar, lower cardiovascular risk, and, in many cases, lose a substantial amount of weight. But researchers are still trying to determine whether those physical health improvements also extend into other parts of life, such as mental health, relationships, and employment. A new National Bureau of Economic Research working paper from University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy economist Robert Kaestner and coauthor Cuiping Schiman examined that question.

Among adults with diabetes, the researchers found little evidence that using GLP-1 medications produced measurable changes in mental health, self-rated health, employment, or marital status. "We know these drugs improve health outcomes, and there's been a great deal of research documenting those benefits," said Kaestner, a research professor. "What hadn't really been examined was whether those improvements extended into other parts of people's lives." The issue is becoming increasingly important as insurers and government programs consider whether to broaden access to