Study finds GLP-1 drugs boost job prospects for unemployed women; Vermont health network ends weight‑loss coverage

Research led by Harvard economist Rebecca Diamond shows that women who begin GLP‑1 weight‑loss treatments such as Ozempic or Wegovy are 27% more likely to find employment within 18 months compared with women who only expressed interest in the drugs. The analysis of a Southern‑California survey of over 10,000 adults also found a 29% increase in the likelihood of single women marrying or cohabiting. The study did not find comparable gains for women already employed.

Separately, UVM Health, a hospital network operating in Vermont and upstate New York, announced it will stop covering GLP‑1 drugs for weight‑loss purposes for its roughly 10,000 employees and their families beginning in September, aiming to save $19 million annually. Coverage for diabetes treatment will continue. The decision follows financial pressures on the network, which has been cutting costs and staff.

Both stories illustrate the growing economic and policy implications of GLP‑1 medications, from potential labor‑market benefits to rising employer cost concerns.