Tom Brady is entering the weight loss treatment space, saying he wants to play a part in expanding access to medication that he believes could make a major difference for millions of Americans.
The former NFL star has joined digital health firm eMed as its chief wellness officer. The company is focused on broadening access to GLP-1 drugs by encouraging employers to include the treatments in staff healthcare coverage, according to Fox Business.
In an interview with The Claman Countdown, Brady shared why the issue matters to him, describing obesity as a major national health problem.
“There’s an epidemic in America, the disease of obesity, and how can we democratize health and wellness in a way that the world has never seen?” he said.
Brady said his interest in the effort is rooted in helping people improve how they feel and function, noting that weight-related health challenges have been a persistent issue in the US.
“I love seeing people live a better life, live a healthier life, feel better, do the things that they want to do in the end. It’s always been a struggle in our country,” he said.
He also spoke about the impact of GLP-1 medications, arguing that their role in helping people begin improving their health is already clear.
“There’s no debate about the way that this medicine is working right now in terms of keeping people and getting people on their wellness journey started,” Brady said.
eMed CEO Linda Yaccarino has said the company wants to channel Brady’s discipline and focus into tackling chronic illness and improving employee health across the country.
Because more than 60 percent of Americans get health insurance through work, Yaccarino said the company is concentrating on persuading employers to provide GLP-1 coverage for workers who qualify.
That push comes as the broader coverage picture remains uneven. Large employers have increasingly offered GLP-1s for obesity treatment in recent years, but many still weigh the drugs’ high price against their potential health benefits. At the same time, Medicare has begun a temporary GLP-1 access program for eligible beneficiaries, underscoring how quickly the policy landscape is shifting.
She said the initiative is designed to benefit both workers and businesses, with healthier staff potentially also lowering costs for employers.
“We do a great job of saving employers’ money and getting people healthy,” Brady added.
“There’s finally, for the first time, a health benefit, attacking all these chronic diseases and a financial benefit to employers. So, it’s giving them incentive to cover the medications,” Yaccarino said.
Yaccarino also described GLP-1 drugs as a major breakthrough in modern healthcare and outlined eMed’s plan to combine technology with ongoing medical guidance to help patients stay on track.
“Once we bring our members onto our program, we combine AI, technology and continuous clinical support so they stay with us,” she said.