Aon's GLP-1 Research Highlights Long-Term Cost Savings and Cancer Risk Reductions for Women
Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a prominent global professional services firm, has published new findings from its extensive multi-year study analyzing U.S. commercial health claims data. This new research builds on its earlier GLP-1 analysis first shared in April 2025 and utilizes data from over 192,000 GLP-1 users to demonstrate significant financial and clinical benefits.
Impact of GLP-1 Therapies on Employer Medical Costs
Aon’s study reveals that sustained usage of GLP-1 therapies can effectively mitigate medical cost growth for employers over time, while also enhancing health outcomes within the workforce. The research particularly highlights remarkable benefits for female GLP-1 users, who experienced:
- A 47% reduction in hospitalizations due to major cardiovascular events.
- A decrease of approximately 50% in the incidence of ovarian cancer.
- A 14% lower incidence of breast cancer in comparison to non-GLP-1 users.
These findings underscore the potential of GLP-1 therapies to lower cancer risk among women, which is crucial for health management strategies in industries with a high female workforce and elevated chronic disease risk.
Significance of the Findings
"Conditions like obesity, diabetes, and cancer are among the most pressing health challenges facing employees and their families,"
Stevens emphasizes that Aon's research showcases how GLP-1 therapies can significantly enhance health outcomes, particularly for women, by greatly reducing risks related to cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
Key Conclusions from the GLP-1 Study
Aon employed its proprietary Cost Efficiency Measurement solution and Health Risk Analyzer to analyze medical and pharmacy claims data for more than 50 million commercial lives, including 192,000 GLP-1 users from July 2022 to March 2025. Key findings include:
- Cost Savings from GLP-1 Adherence: GLP-1 users managing diabetes experienced a medical cost growth that was 6 percentage points lower than non-users over 30 months.
- Reduced Cancer Incidence: Female GLP-1 users saw nearly 50% reduced rates of ovarian cancer and a 14% decline in breast cancer incidence.
- Enhanced Cardiovascular Protection: Women using GLP-1 therapies reported a 47% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), compared to 26% for men.
- Importance of Consistent Use: Maintaining at least 80% adherence to GLP-1 therapy is crucial for optimizing health benefits and managing financial implications.
Cost Projections and Industry Implications
The rising costs of healthcare in the U.S. are an ongoing concern for employers. Aon projects that in 2026, healthcare costs will increase by 9.5%. With prescription drugs representing about 30% of total healthcare costs, the expanded use and spending on GLP-1 therapies—currently accounting for 20% of prescription costs—reflects growing societal healthcare challenges.
"This study showcases high-quality data that offers insights into real-world patterns of GLP-1 usage and its financial impact,"
Future Discussions at the World Economic Forum
Aon will present key insights from its health claims analysis at the upcoming 2026 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. The firm aims to engage with clients and partners about the transformative potential of GLP-1 therapies on workforce health and cost management.