Health
Ozempic push for seniors? Some doctors say more people age 65 and over should be on it
Just 9% of older adults age 65 and up say they have taken GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, according to recent data from KFF Health — and only 1% said they take the medications just for weight-loss purposes.
Some doctors are recommending that more adults in these older age groups incorporate the drugs as a means of improved health and longevity.
“As our bodies age, we have an increased likelihood of developing medical problems,” Dr. Jennie Stanford, an obesity medicine physician in Pennsylvania and medical contributor for Drugwatch, told Fox News Digital.
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Common problems in patients age 65 and older include diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, cancers and dementia, among others, according to the doctor.
Some doctors are recommending that more adults in older age groups incorporate the drugs as a means of improving their health and longevity. (iStock)
“GLP-1 receptor agonists (like Ozempic) have been shown to not only be effective in treating diabetes, reducing cardiovascular disease risk and promoting weight loss, but also in potentially reducing the risks of dementia and obesity-associated cancers,” Stanford said.
Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon and longevity doctor, refers to obesity as a “gateway disease” — particularly in older adults.
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“Obesity can lead to numerous serious health conditions, including cancer, diabetes, coronary artery disease, and even neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s,” he told Fox News Digital.
“Managing weight is not just about appearance — it’s about significantly improving overall health and quality of life by targeting obesity as a major risk factor for age-related diseases, including infections such as COVID-19.”
Benefits of Ozempic for adults 65 and older
Ozempic and Wegovy offer “promising benefits” for weight management across all age groups, Osborn said.
For seniors, he said, the benefits of GLP-1 medications extend far beyond just shedding pounds.
Seniors taking these medications should engage in strength training and boost their protein intake to support muscle health, a doctor recommended. (iStock)
“Weight loss can lead to increased mobility, better balance and a reduced risk of falls, which are major concerns as we age,” Osborn noted.
“By losing weight, older adults can regain the ability to move more freely, which can mean the difference between walking independently, needing a cane or wheelchair, or suffering a fatal head injury from a fall.”
As a trauma-dedicated neurosurgeon, Osborn said that falls comprise the majority of the middle-of-the-night phone calls he receives — a majority of them involving the senior population.
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“The newfound mobility [from losing weight] can boost mood, enhance social interactions and improve overall health, potentially saving lives,” he said.
Just 9% of older adults age 65 and older say they have taken GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro.
Reducing excess weight can also alleviate the strain on joints, decreasing pain and potentially delaying or even avoiding the need for joint replacement surgeries, Osborn noted — “which are risky procedures for elderly individuals, who often have multiple medical conditions.”
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Managing obesity can also significantly lower the risk of developing or worsening conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease and Alzheimer’s, according to the doctor.
“These conditions are often intertwined, with obesity serving as a major risk factor,” he told Fox News Digital.
“By addressing obesity early on — with GLP-1 agonists — we can take a proactive step in preventing these life-altering diseases.”
Barriers for seniors to access Ozempic
Despite the clear benefits, it can sometimes be difficult for older adults to access Ozempic and similar medications — in many cases due to cost.
Ozempic and Wegovy offer “promising benefits” for weight management across all age groups, a doctor said. (iStock)
“Medicare and similar insurances often don’t cover them for the indication of weight loss, so patients must have a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus to be eligible for insurance coverage for medications like Ozempic,” Stanford told Fox News Digital.
This financial barrier can prevent many seniors from starting or continuing treatment, especially after they turn 65 and lose other forms of insurance coverage, Osborn has experienced.
Risks or considerations for seniors
Patients who are older than 65 may also be at a higher risk of adverse effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists, Stanford pointed out.
“Kidney dysfunction, risk of hypoglycemia, medication interactions and other side effects may occur more frequently and require close monitoring,” she said.
Seniors should also be aware that while GLP-1 medications can help reduce fat, they can also lead to muscle loss or sarcopenia, Osborn noted.
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“Maintaining muscle mass is crucial as we age, because it helps prevent frailty and reduces the risk of falls and fractures,” he warned.
Seniors taking these medications should engage in strength training and boost their protein intake to support muscle health, Osborn recommended.
The situation can be more complex for older adults who are on multiple medications, which increases the risk of drug interactions, doctors say. (iStock)
In some cases, hormone replacement therapy may be helpful in maintaining or bolstering muscle mass.
The situation can be more complex for older adults who are on multiple medications, which increases the risk of drug interactions, according to Osborn.
“For example, GLP-1s can decrease appetite, potentially leading to dehydration, especially if the person is already taking diuretics for conditions like high blood pressure,” he said.
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“So, one has to be extremely careful, as the majority of falls in the senior population are due to the dangerous combination of over-medication and dehydration.”
To combat dehydration, Osborn recommends aiming for a gallon of electrolyte-laden water per day.
“Since GLP-1 agonists also temper thirst, patients must drink regularly throughout the day — even when they’re not thirsty,” he added.
‘Holistic mindset’
Currently, semaglutide (the medication in Ozempic) is approved only for type 2 diabetes and obesity treatment, although evidence shows that it can reduce the risk of heart disease, Stanford noted.
“Additional high-quality evidence supports increased studies for a broader use of semaglutide and other GLP-1 receptor agonists, which are likely to guide our use of these medications in the coming years,” she said.
“Combining GLP-1 medications with lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise and a balanced diet, can amplify the benefits.”
Osborn urges seniors to approach weight loss with a “holistic mindset.”
“Combining GLP-1 medications with lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise and a balanced diet, can amplify the benefits,” he said.
“Working closely with a health care team, including a dietitian and possibly a physical therapist, can ensure that weight loss is achieved safely and sustainably.”
While there are risks involved with any medication, Osborn said he believes they are “far outweighed” by the potential benefits of GLP-1 agonists.
“Working closely with a health care team, including a dietitian and possibly a physical therapist, can ensure that weight loss is achieved safely and sustainably,” a doctor said. (iStock)
The doctor added, “They are the ‘holy grail’ of modern-day medicine and will likely prove to have a similar impact on global health as the advent of antibiotics.”
Novo Nordisk, the company that makes Ozempic and Wegovy, said that it’s “critically important” for the right patients to get the right treatment.
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“We believe the most effective way for seniors to be able to access and afford obesity care is to ensure that GLP-1 medicines are covered by government and commercial insurance plans,” a company spokesperson told Fox News Digital via email.
“Collaboration across the health care system is key to educating and broadening coverage of these medicines.”
Novo Nordisk, the company that makes Ozempic and Wegovy, said that it’s “critically important” for the right patients to get the right treatment. (REUTERS/Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen/File Photo)
Federal employees have coverage through their health plans, and the VA and DOD also provide coverage, Novo Nordisk pointed out.
“Medicaid is expanding coverage on a state-by-state basis, but unfortunately, Medicare is the only outlier,” the spokesperson said.
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“It is time seniors are given the same benefits as the executive branch and legislative branch employees who manage their program.”
The company has pledged to continue its efforts to help ensure that seniors living with obesity can access coverage.
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In a dramatic turn of events that’s captured the attention of animal lovers worldwide, Punch — the young macaque at a zoo in Japan famous for his inseparable bond with a stuffed orangutan toy — has reached a major milestone in his journey toward social integration.
On Thursday, visitors and staff at the Ichikawa Zoological and Botanical Garden witnessed a breakthrough: Punch was seen cuddling with and hitching a ride on the back of a fellow macaque.
Punch’s story began with hardship. He was abandoned by his mother shortly after his birth in July 2025 — and to ensure his survival, zookeepers stepped in to hand-rear the primate.
On Jan. 19, 2026, the zoo officially began the process of reintegrating Punch into the “monkey mountain” enclosure.
The transition was initially fraught with tension.
Punch’s story began with hardship when he was abandoned by his mother shortly after he was born. To help him, zookeepers gave him a stuffed toy that he began dragging around everywhere he went. (David Mareuil/Anadolu via Getty Images)
As a hand-reared infant, Punch was bullied and ignored by the established group of monkeys.
He was often seen huddled alone with his orange plush companion while the rest of the troop interacted.
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In an official statement released Feb. 27, the Ichikawa Zoological and Botanical Garden detailed the meticulous care behind this process.
Previous viral videos showed Punch bullied by the rest of the troop, running to his plushy toy for comfort. (David Mareuil/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“From an animal welfare perspective, our primary goal is to reintegrate Punch with the troop,” the zoo said.
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The strategy involved nursing Punch within the enclosure, so the troop could recognize him as one of their own, and pairing him with a gentle young female macaque prior to his full release to build his confidence.
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The latest footage, captured by X user @tate_gf, suggested the zoo’s patience is paying off.
The video shows Punch seeking physical contact not from his toy, but from another monkey — eventually climbing onto its back for a vital social behavior for young macaques: the “piggyback ride.”
The zoo’s strategy appears to be paying off: Punch, shown at far left, was recently seen riding on the back of a fellow macaque. (David Mareuil/Anadolu via Getty Images)
While Punch still carries his stuffed toy for comfort during moments of perceived danger, the zoo remains optimistic about his progress.
The organization cited the successful 2009 case of Otome, another hand-reared macaque who eventually outgrew her stuffed toy, successfully integrated — and went on to raise four offspring of her own.
The zoo has had crowds coming to see Punch, with hundreds of people lining up to get inside to see the young star, according to reports.
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“I’m hoping Punch has a good life like everybody else does, and think he’s a cute little guy,” one person commented online.
“Such a precious baby,” another person wrote.
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This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Artificial intelligence has been touted as a boon to healthcare, but a new study has revealed its potential shortcomings when it comes to giving medical advice.
In January, OpenAI launched ChatGPT Health, the medical-focused version of the popular chatbot tool.
The company introduced the tool as “a dedicated experience that securely brings your health information and ChatGPT’s intelligence together, to help you feel more informed, prepared and confident navigating your health.”
But researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have found that the tool failed to recommend emergency care for a “significant number” of serious medical cases.
The study, published in the journal Nature Medicine on Feb. 23, aimed to explore how ChatGPT Health — which is reported to have about 40 million users daily — handles situations where people are asking whether to seek emergency care.
Artificial intelligence has been touted as a boon to healthcare, but a new study has revealed its potential shortcomings when it comes to giving medical advice. (iStock)
“Right now, no independent body evaluates these products before they reach the public,” lead author Ashwin Ramaswamy, M.D., instructor of urology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, told Fox News Digital.
“We wouldn’t accept that for a medication or a medical device, and we shouldn’t accept it for a product that tens of millions of people are using to make health decisions.”
Emergency scenarios
The team created 60 clinical scenarios across 21 medical specialties, ranging from minor conditions to true medical emergencies.
Three independent physicians then assigned an appropriate level of urgency for each case, based on published clinical practice guidelines in 56 medical societies.
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The researchers conducted 960 interactions with ChatGPT Health to see how the tool responded, taking into account gender, race, barriers to care and “social dynamics.”
While “clear-cut emergencies” — such as stroke or severe allergy — were generally handled well, the researchers found that the tool “under-triaged” many urgent medical issues.
The team created 60 clinical scenarios across 21 medical specialties, ranging from minor conditions to true medical emergencies. (iStock)
For example, in one asthma scenario, the system acknowledged that the patient was showing early signs of respiratory failure — but still recommended waiting instead of seeking emergency care.
“ChatGPT Health performs well in medium-severity cases, but fails at both ends of the spectrum — the cases where getting it right matters most,” Ramaswamy told Fox News Digital. “It under-triaged over half of genuine emergencies and over-triaged roughly two-thirds of mild cases that clinical guidelines say should be managed at home.”
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Under-triage can be life-threatening, the doctor noted, while over-triage can overwhelm emergency departments and delay care for those in real need.
Researchers also identified inconsistencies in suicide risk alerts. In some cases, it directed users to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in lower-risk scenarios, and in others, it failed to offer that recommendation even when a person discussed suicidal ideations.
“ChatGPT Health performs well in medium-severity cases, but fails at both ends of the spectrum.”
“The suicide guardrail failure was the most alarming,” study co-author Girish N. Nadkarni, M.D., chief AI officer of the Mount Sinai Health System, told Fox News Digital.
ChatGPT Health is designed to show a crisis intervention banner when someone describes thoughts of self-harm, the researcher noted.
OpenAI launched ChatGPT Health, the medical-focused version of the popular chatbot tool, in January 2026. (Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“We tested it with a 27-year-old patient who said he’d been thinking about taking a lot of pills,” Nadkarni said. “When he described his symptoms alone, the banner appeared 100% of the time. Then we added normal lab results — same patient, same words, same severity — and the banner vanished.”
“A safety feature that works perfectly in one context and completely fails in a nearly identical context … is a fundamental safety problem.”
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The researchers were also surprised by the social influence aspect.
“When a family member in the scenario said ‘it’s nothing serious’ — which happens all the time in real life — the system became nearly 12 times more likely to downplay the patient’s symptoms,” Nadkarni said. “Everyone has a spouse or parent who tells them they’re overreacting. The AI shouldn’t be agreeing with them during a potential emergency.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Open AI, creator of ChatGPT, requesting comment.
Physicians react
Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, called the new study “important.”
“It underlines the principle that while large language models can triage clear-cut emergencies, they have much more trouble with nuanced situations,” Siegel, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.
ChatGPT and other LLMs can be helpful tools, a doctor said, but they “should not be used to give medical direction.” (iStock)
“This is where doctors and clinical judgment come in — knowing the nuances of a patient’s history and how they report symptoms and their approach to health.”
ChatGPT and other LLMs can be helpful tools, Siegel said, but they “should not be used to give medical direction.”
“Machine learning and continued input of data can help, but will never compensate for the essential problem – human judgment is needed to decide whether something is a true emergency or not.”
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Dr. Harvey Castro, an emergency physician and AI expert in Texas, echoed the importance of the study, calling it “exactly the kind of independent safety evaluation we need.”
“Innovation moves fast. Oversight has to move just as fast,” Castro, who also did not work on the study, told Fox News Digital. “In healthcare, the most dangerous mistakes happen at the extremes, when something looks mild but is actually catastrophic. That’s where clinical judgment matters most, and where AI must be stress-tested.”
Study limitations
The researchers acknowledged some potential limitations in the study design.
“We used physician-written clinical scenarios rather than real patient conversations, and we tested at a single point in time — these systems update frequently, so performance may change,” Ramaswamy told Fox News Digital.
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Additionally, most of the missed emergencies happened in situations where the danger depended on how the condition was changing over time. It’s not clear whether the same problem would happen with acute medical emergencies.
Because the system had to choose just one fixed urgency category, the test may not reflect the more nuanced advice it might give in a back-and-forth conversation, the researchers noted.
ChatGPT Health is designed to show a crisis intervention banner when someone describes thoughts of self-harm. (iStock)
Also, the study wasn’t large enough to confidently detect small differences in how recommendations might vary by race or gender.
“We need continuous auditing, not one-time studies,” Castro noted. “These systems update frequently, so evaluation must be ongoing.”
‘Don’t wait’
The researchers emphasized the importance of seeking immediate care for serious issues.
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“If something feels seriously wrong — chest pain, difficulty breathing, a severe allergic reaction, thoughts of self-harm — go to the emergency department or call 988,” Ramaswamy advised. “Don’t wait for an AI to tell you it’s OK.”
The researchers noted that they support the use of AI to improve healthcare access, and that they didn’t conduct the study to “tear down the technology.”
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“These tools can be genuinely useful for the right things — understanding a diagnosis you’ve already received, looking up what your medications do and their side effects, or getting answers to questions that didn’t get fully addressed in a short doctor’s visit,” Ramaswamy said.
“That’s a very different use case from deciding whether you need emergency care. Treat them as a complement to your doctor, not a replacement.”
“This study doesn’t mean we abandon AI in healthcare.”
Castro agreed that the benefits of AI health tools should be weighed against the risks.
“AI health tools can increase access, reduce unnecessary visits and empower patients with information,” he said. “They are not inherently unsafe, but they are not yet substitutes for clinical judgment.”
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“This study doesn’t mean we abandon AI in healthcare,” he went on. “It means we mature it. Independent testing and stronger guardrails will determine whether AI becomes a safety net or a liability.”
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