Obesity costs the NHS around £6Bn a year and this is predicted to rise to over £9.7Bn by 2050. This new investment is expected to save the NHS billions over time and ensure that vital funds are spent on frontline services.
The funding could lead to promising medicines and digital technologies being made available to patients, such as apps and online portals to encourage lifestyle changes, which have been shown in clinical trials to be safe and lead to a 'significant' reduction in weight.
Steve Barclay, Health and Social Care Secretary, commented: “Having a fit and healthy population is essential to reducing pressure on the NHS and supporting the economy with obesity, currently estimated to cost the NHS nearly £10 billion per year by 2050.
“We are fast-tracking the most promising treatments and technologies to NHS patients to help them achieve a healthy weight, save the NHS billions of pounds and increase life expectancy. We are determined to harness the full potential of innovative medical breakthroughs to level up the health of the nation.”