Future of Obesity Care: 3 Wishes from Thought Leader Donna Ryan, MD

When asked about her 3 wishes for the future of obesity care, Donna Ryan, MD, told Patient Care Online that she had just one: access. Dr Ryan emphasized that while antiobesity medications, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, have transformative potential beyond weight loss—such as preventing diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and possibly even cancer—significant barriers remain, particularly cost and affordability. In the video above, she also calls for systematic changes, including regulated pricing and expanded insurance coverage, to ensure these medications are accessible to patients who need them most.

Donna Ryan, MD, is professor emerita at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, LA, and past president of The Obesity Society. She served as associate executive director at Pennington Biomedical for 34 years and her own research encompasses key roles in the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), POUNDS Lost, DPP (Diabetes Prevention Program) and Look AHEAD studies. Ryan's continuing research interests focus on translation of effective weight management into primary care practices.