Background
The World Health Organization (WHO) is establishing an Expert Group to support the development of implementation guidance for the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1) therapies within multimodal obesity care. This work is linked to the WHO Living Guideline on GLP-1 therapies for the treatment of obesity in adults.
While the WHO guideline provides normative recommendations on the use of GLP-1 therapies and intensive behavioral interventions, countries require practical guidance to inform the allocation and implementation of these therapies within health systems. There is a need to identify population groups most likely to benefit from GLP-1 therapies within multimodal obesity care and to support the allocation of treatment according to expected health benefit. This requires the use of risk stratification approaches and assessment of expected health outcomes to maximize treatment effectiveness and reduce obesity-related morbidity and mortality.
The implementation guidance will also consider equity, feasibility, affordability, health system readiness, evolving evidence, and changing market dynamics.
WHO is seeking experts with experience in policy-making and programme management, obesity care, epidemiology, modelling and risk prediction, health economics and financing, pharmacology, implementation science, public health, and health equity. The Expert Group will provide strategic and technical advice on risk stratification and expected health benefit-based allocation frameworks, implementation pathways, economic and market considerations, and mechanisms for incorporating implementation experience and emerging evidence into future updates of the WHO living guideline process.
1. Purpose
The purpose of the Expert Group is to provide technical and strategic advice to WHO on the development of implementation guidance for the expected health benefit-based allocation of GLP-1 therapies in the treatment of obesity, supporting implementation of recommendations contained in the WHO Living Guideline on GLP-1 therapies for the treatment of obesity in adults.
This work constitutes an implementation product and is distinct from guideline development. The guidance will be practical, equity-oriented, and adaptable across diverse country contexts, explicitly considering health system readiness, access constraints, affordability, market dynamics, the evolving pharmaceutical pipeline, and rapidly emerging evidence.
2. Objectives
The Expert Group will:
- Advise on the development of a risk stratification and expected health benefit-based allocation framework for the use of GLP-1 therapies among people living with obesity, integrating clinical risk, expected treatment benefit, feasibility, equity, affordability, and overall population health impact.
- Ensure that the guidance is implementation-oriented and adaptable across different health system contexts.
- Provide input on ethical, equity, and access considerations.
- Inform analyses of budget impact, affordability, pricing scenarios, and other economic considerations, taking into account evolving market conditions.
- Advise on approaches to incorporate implementation experience and emerging evidence into future updates of the guidance and related WHO processes.
3. Scope of Work
Risk Stratification and Expected Health Benefit-Based Allocation Framework for the Use of GLP-1 Therapies in Obesity Care
- Define risk stratification categories and expected health benefit-based allocation criteria for the use of GLP-1 therapies in people living with obesity.
- Review and advise on the application of prognostic tools, risk prediction models, and other approaches to estimate expected treatment benefit and identify individuals most likely to benefit from therapy.
- Assess expected health benefits across risk subpopulations while considering equity, feasibility, affordability, and health system implementation considerations.
- Advise on approaches to maximize population health impact and reduce obesity-related morbidity and mortality through the allocation of GLP-1 therapies according to expected health benefit.
Implementation Pathways
- Advise on phased introduction strategies, service delivery models, and integration within obesity chronic care programs.
- Consider different levels of health system readiness and resource availability.
Economic and Market Considerations
- Review budget impact, affordability, and cost considerations, and price scenarios.
- Assess implications of evolving market conditions and pharmaceutical developments.
Equity Considerations
- Ensure that expected health benefit-based allocation approaches reduce disparities, support equitable access, and appropriately address the needs of populations experiencing the greatest burden of disease and barriers to care.
Clinical and Pharmacological Considerations
- Consider current evidence on GLP-1 therapies and relevant developments in the therapeutic pipeline.
Learning and Evidence Systems
- Advise on mechanisms to incorporate implementation experience and real-world evidence into future refinements of the guidance.
4. Qualifications and Expertise
WHO invites applications from individuals with expertise in one or more of the following areas:
- Policy-making and programme management
- Obesity prevention and management
- Epidemiology
- Modelling and risk prediction
- Health economics and cost-effectiveness analysis
- Health financing and budgeting
- Pharmacology and clinical medicine
- Public health
- Health equity and social determinants of health
- Implementation science
Applicants should possess:
- An advanced university degree or equivalent professional experience in a relevant field.
- Demonstrated expertise relevant to the scope of this work.
- A strong record of scientific, technical, policy, or programmatic contributions.
- Evidence of leadership or invited participation in national or international scientific bodies, committees, or expert advisory groups.
- Excellent written and spoken English.
5. Selection of Experts
Applications will be reviewed by a WHO selection panel comprising at least three individuals appointed by WHO.
Selection will be based on demonstrated technical expertise and experience relevant to the objectives and scope of work outlined above. In addition to scientific and technical excellence, WHO will seek diversity and complementarity of expertise, gender balance, and appropriate representation across geographic regions and income settings.
Selected individuals will be appointed to the WHO Expert Group on Implementation Guidance for the Expected Health Benefit-Based Allocation of GLP-1 Therapies in Obesity Care and invited to participate in meetings and related activities supporting the development of the guidance.
Selected experts may also be requested to contribute to the preparation and review of background documents, technical papers, and draft reports.
6. Appointment of Experts
Experts will participate solely in their individual capacities and not as representatives of any government, institution, or organization.
Expert Group members will not receive remuneration for their participation. However, should an in-person meeting be convened, WHO will cover approved travel costs, daily subsistence allowance, and other related expenses in accordance with WHO policies.
7. Roles and Responsibilities
Expert Group Members
Members will:
- Provide independent technical and strategic advice.
- Review technical materials and draft documents.
- Participate in meetings and consultations.
- Contribute to discussions and written reviews.
- Support the development of implementation guidance and related outputs.
WHO
WHO will:
- Lead and coordinate the process.
- Retain full responsibility for all normative and policy decisions.
- Ensure alignment with WHO standards and procedures.
- Provide methodological and technical oversight.
- Appoint two co-chairs to facilitate the work of the Expert Group.
8. Governance and Working Modality
The Expert Group will serve in an advisory, non-decision-making capacity to WHO
Engagement will include:
- Virtual meetings;
- Targeted technical consultations;
- Written review of draft materials; and
- Participation in sub-groups or task-specific working groups, as required.
The process will be structured, transparent, and consensus-oriented.
9. Declaration of Interests
All selected experts will be required to complete a Declaration of Interests in accordance with WHO policies and procedures.
WHO will assess all declared interests and determine whether any constitute actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest. Appropriate measures will be taken to safeguard the integrity, independence, and credibility of the process.
Completion and review of the Declaration of Interests form will be required before a formal invitation can be issued. Selected experts will also be required to sign a confidentiality undertaking before appointment.
Before participating in any related activity, selected experts will be required to declare any potential interests associated with the subject matter under consideration. Declarations will be assessed in accordance with WHO policies to ensure transparency and appropriate management of any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest.
10. Timeline
- July 2026: Expert Group established and initial consultations convened.
- July 2026 onwards: Framework development and technical consultations.
- The schedule and frequency of meetings will be agreed with the Expert Group during the inaugural meeting.
- All meetings are expected to be conducted virtually.
- February 2027: Finalization of implementation guidance.
11. Expected Outputs
The Expert Group will contribute to the development of WHO implementation guidance for the expected health benefit-based allocation of GLP-1 therapies in obesity care, including:
- A risk stratification and expected health benefit-based allocation framework.
- Analytical considerations related to affordability, cost, feasibility, and equity.
- Frameworks and tools to support assessment, allocation, and implementation decisions.
- Recommendations for implementation pathways across diverse health system settings.
- Considerations for incorporating implementation experience and emerging evidence into future updates of the guidance.
12. Applications
Interested applicants should submit a curriculum vitae (CV) that includes:
- Educational background;
- Relevant professional experience;
- Evidence of national or international expertise relevant to the scope of work;
- Participation in relevant advisory bodies or committees if available
- A list of peer-reviewed publications relevant to the areas outlined above if available .
Applications should be submitted by email to NFS@who.int with the subject line:
"Call for Experts – GLP-1 Expected Health Benefit-Based Allocation Guidance"
Deadline for submission: 17 June 2026, 16:00 CET.
Only applicants under serious consideration will be contacted.