Linda Yaccarino, who recently stepped down as CEO of social media platform X, has been appointed CEO of eMed Population Health, a Miami-based telehealth startup focused on GLP-1 weight loss drugs.
Yaccarino, known for her extensive advertising and digital revenue expertise, led X through a challenging period marked by advertiser skepticism amid controversial content under Elon Musk’s ownership. She previously modernized NBCUniversal’s global advertising business over a decade.
“I brought X through a tremendous growth trajectory, and I’m proud of what we accomplished,” Yaccarino said in a Reuters interview. “Now, it’s the perfect time for a new challenge.”
Founded in 2020, eMed partners with employers and government payers to manage the use of GLP-1 drugs, a class of obesity and diabetes medications whose high costs have limited insurance coverage. Yaccarino emphasized the company’s vision to transform the weight-loss category at a critical moment.
The telehealth sector focused on GLP-1 drugs is growing rapidly but faces increased scrutiny over safety, marketing, and regulatory challenges. Industry experts note Yaccarino’s digital marketing skills will be valuable as the sector shifts toward a direct-to-consumer model.
eMed claims its platform can reduce weight loss program costs by up to 50%, offering live, on-demand care without the need for appointments. The company initially gained traction through at-home COVID-19 testing during the pandemic and later expanded into diagnostics for other illnesses but has since refocused on telehealth services.
Currently, eMed employs between 51 and 200 people.