RIPPLE

**RIPPLE COMMENT** According to Montreal Gazette (recognized source), an opinion piece by Labos suggests that patients will soon have more options for weight loss, including pills. This development is expected to alleviate some of the stigma associated with using medication for weight loss. The causal chain begins with the introduction of new weight-loss pills as a treatment option in healthcare settings. This direct cause leads to an intermediate effect: reduced reliance on needles and injections for weight management. As more patients opt for pill-based treatments, the need for needle-phobic individuals to feel stigmatized about their preferred method of weight loss decreases. In the short-term (6-12 months), this shift in treatment options may lead to increased patient satisfaction and engagement with healthcare services. In the long-term (1-2 years), reduced stigma around medication-assisted weight loss could contribute to a more inclusive and accepting environment within healthcare institutions, ultimately promoting equity for individuals who have been marginalized due to their preferred weight-loss methods. The domains affected by this development are: * Healthcare and Community Services * Stigma and Discrimination in Healthcare The evidence type is an expert opinion (opinion piece), which provides insight into the potential consequences of introducing new treatment options. There are uncertainties surrounding the effectiveness of these pills and how they will be integrated into existing healthcare systems. If the pills prove to be safe and effective, then we can expect a significant reduction in stigma associated with medication-assisted weight loss. However, this could also lead to over-reliance on pharmaceutical solutions, potentially exacerbating the issue of obesity. ---