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On Oct. 24, Syracuse University announced that as of Jan. 1, 2025, it will no longer cover GLP-1 medications for weight loss for SU employees. According to the announcement, coverage for GLP-1 medications will continue for people managing diabetes and other approved conditions.

This decision is justified solely by cost concerns, and it disregards the profound health benefits and documented clinical efficacy of these medications for treating obesity, a chronic disease recognized by the American Medical Association.

GLP-1 medications, including the mainstream Ozempic injection, work by mimicking the effects of the body’s natural GLP-1 hormone, which helps control blood sugar and insulin levels and promotes feelings of fullness.

Unfortunately, research shows that stopping GLP-1 medications typically leads to regaining the weight lost, often with adverse effects on both physical and mental health. By removing coverage, SU is essentially condemning hundreds of employees to the health risks they thought they had left behind. This decision must be reversed.

The university’s stance on GLP-1 medications reflects a broader, damaging misconception about obesity — that it’s merely a lack of willpower rather than a disease that requires treatment. Despite SU’s professed commitment to anti-discrimination policies, this decision reinforces societal biases against people who are affected by obesity.

SU should, at the very least, continue funding those already benefiting from GLP-1 treatment. Rather than focusing on immediate costs, SU should consider the long-term health savings from reducing obesity-related conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, cancer and more.

On the day of this announcement, I contacted SU’s Human Resources team to express my concerns, only to receive a perfunctory response. I urge all impacted SU employees and their supporters to demand that SU reverse this decision. Send emails to SU Human Resources at hrservice@syr.edu as well as Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Andrew Gordon at agordon@syr.edu.

Together, we can show that this decision will have lasting repercussions and pressure the university to restore access to these life-altering medications.

Samuel B. Castleberry is a senior master of social work major. He can be reached at sbcastle@syr.edu.

Published on November 3, 2024 at 10:52 pm