Obesity rates rise in Brazil and Portugal amid medication access struggles

Rising obesity rates in Brazil and Portugal are highlighting significant barriers to accessing modern medical treatments. In Brazil, where 25.7% of adults face obesity, new GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Ozempic offer substantial weight loss potential, yet high costs create deep social inequality. Research indicates that 84% of households using these treatments report a high or moderate impact on their monthly budgets.

Similarly, in Portugal, obesity rates have climbed to 17%, placing the country above the European Union average of 16.3%. Health experts in Portugal are calling for government subsidies for obesity medications, arguing that the condition is a chronic disease rather than a matter of personal responsibility or lifestyle alone. Both regions face a growing gap between medical advancement and patient accessibility due to economic constraints.