Weight Loss Drugs Cut Sick Days by 17%, Study Finds

Workers taking GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are taking significantly fewer sick days, offering a glimpse of unexpected benefits beyond weight loss and diabetes management.

A new study from the National Bureau of Economic Research analyzed health data from Denmark and found that patients using these medications took 17% less long-term sick leave compared to those not using the drugs. Long-term sick leave was defined as illness-related absences lasting more than 30 days.

The health improvements make sense when you consider what these drugs do. Research shows GLP-1 medications reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, serious health events that often require extended recovery time away from work.

Duke University professor Jonathan Zhang, one of the study's co-authors, says the reduction in absences translates to savings of up to 1.5% of an individual's salary. That averages out to about $866 per person.

The benefits extend beyond just sick leave policies too. Zhang points out that in the U.S., where sick leave policies are less generous than Denmark's, many workers show up to their jobs while feeling unwell.

This phenomenon, called "presenteeism," means employees are physically at work but can't perform at their best because they feel terrible. Neither the worker nor the company wins in that situation.

The Ripple Effect

The implications could reshape how we think about workplace health investments. If these medications help people feel better and stay healthier, workers might be more productive, accomplish more, and potentially earn more promotions.

Companies could see improved productivity across their teams. When employees feel good, they perform better, which benefits everyone from coworkers to customers.

The research suggests that investing in employee health through medications that prevent serious health events pays dividends beyond just medical costs. Healthier workers mean more stable teams, better work output, and potentially lower healthcare costs down the line.

The findings add to growing evidence that GLP-1 medications offer benefits beyond their primary purposes of managing diabetes and obesity.

When people feel healthier, they show up more consistently, perform better, and contribute more fully to their workplaces and communities.