The Impact of GLP-1 Medications on Life Insurance Underwriting

The incidence of global obesity has significantly increased since 1975. However, medications like glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), including semaglutides and tirzepatide, offer a promising solution. According to the Life Science Report 2025 by Munich Re, these medications may lower obesity-related health issues.

GLP-1 agonists, marketed under names like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound, have received approval for weight management in adults and treatment of conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular issues. The report further highlights potential benefits for other metabolic diseases, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and certain obesity-related cancers.

The study utilized a de-identified dataset comprising medical and prescription information from 41 million US adults between 2015 and January 1, 2025. Insights from this research were central to Munich Re's webinar, "Turn Evidence into Excellence," held on January 29, 2026. A key focus was the impact of GLP-1 agonists and artificial intelligence (AI) on life insurance underwriting.

Timothy Meagher, vice president and medical director at Munich Re Canada, emphasized AI's role in enhancing health outcome predictions. "Underwriting will be improved, and insurability should expand," he noted. The research suggests that GLP-1 medications result in an annual mortality improvement of 0.2% to 0.5% over 20 years, with weight losses between 15% and 21%, yielding significant mortality reductions particularly among severely obese individuals.

Meagher also highlighted AI's ability to identify subtypes of type 2 diabetes, significantly influencing drug development timelines. By analyzing extensive health records, AI can predict health trajectories more accurately and swiftly. He remarked, "By analyzing thousands upon thousands of electronic health records...you can actually begin to predict what that trajectory is going to look like way sooner than we possibly could."

Through AI analysis, new predictive health associations could emerge. Meagher noted the potential role of biological age in underwriting. These developments may lead to shifts in insurance operations, encouraging collaborations among insurers, governments, healthcare providers, and tech firms. As insurers adapt, they may enhance cybersecurity and address digital transformation risks, a trend notable in the financial services sector. Additionally, major climate events remain a concern for insurance professionals, as indicated in a recent industry survey.