Weight‑loss campaigns aimed at First Nations women look like drug marketing in disguise
If you've scrolled through social media or watched TV, you've probably seen campaigns featuring women describing how difficult weight loss can be. They say you've probably "tried everything." Then, viewers are encouraged to "talk to a doctor" about managing their weight.
Recent advertising campaigns targeting First Nations women appear to be nothing more than veiled promotions for weight-loss drugs, according to a new paper. These campaigns, featuring celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Serena Williams, and Australian singers Casey Donovan and Allira Potter, aim to appeal to this demographic. The paper argues that these ads are thinly disguised advertisements for weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, even if they do not explicitly mention the drug names.
The authors of the paper express concern over the potential conflicts of interest involved. While these campaigns may encourage some First Nations women to seek medical advice, the drugs are not listed on Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and can cost over A$4,000 a year for a private prescription. This raises questions about the accessibility and affordability of these drugs for the population.
The projected global sales of the drug class are expected to reach US$150 billion by 2030, with profits likely being reinvested into further marketing efforts.
The paper also highlights the risk of increased drug use, particularly for individuals with eating disorders, which may disproportionately affect First Nations people. While the authors acknowledge that some First Nations women may benefit from these drug options, they argue that commercial forces should not shape their choices. Instead, they advocate for the involvement of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations in designing culturally safe approaches to preventing and managing obesity.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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