GLP-1s and Product Insights in Digital Health
This is the first post in my new series about GLP-1s.
GLP-1s are all the rage these days. As luck would have it, I’m a PA who used to work at a metabolic health clinic. In fact, I prescribed GLP-1s for weight loss before it was cool.
As a result, I have a unique, informed perspective on how digital health companies in this market are differentiating themselves. When it comes to product design, everyone wants to know, “How can we get an edge?”
I have some ideas, but I don’t wade into this territory lightly. When it comes to weight loss, there’s no shortage of complexity. It’s a topic that requires a “yes, and” mindset.
Yes, around 70% of American adults are considered overweight or obese. And a significant subset of this population is metabolically healthy.
Yes, many health risks are correlated with overweight and obesity. And causality has only been established for two (osteoarthritis and ovarian cancer).
Yes, body positivity can be beneficial — improving mental health, boosting self-esteem, and challenging detrimental beauty standards. And some people still want to lose weight.
Yes, the physiologist who coined the term “body mass index” (BMI) explicitly noted the metric was inappropriate for individual evaluation. And BMI is a firmly established metric that isn’t going away anytime soon.
Having a deep understanding of these nuances and the long history of weight loss “solutions” puts me in a unique position to provide value to these companies. By pairing patient-centered care with user-centered design, we can build incredible products that exceed expectations.