Pharmacological treatment for obesity: a scalable solution for South Africa

Abstract

Obesity is a disease with many complications, both directly and indirectly linked to adipose tissue excess and dysfunction. Type 2 diabetes (T2DM), stroke and cardiovascular disease account for the top causes of death nationally.¹ Our country is confronted with an urgent national emergency and, much like the HIV epidemic, the obesity crisis now demands rapid, scalable, and equitable intervention to protect the nation’s health.