“Access Denied: Study Finds Those Who Need Diabetes and Obesity Medications the Most Are Least Likely to Get Them”

A recent study from the Yale School of Public Health and the University of Florida has found that newer medications to treat diabetes and obesity are saving lives, but those who need the injectable drugs the most are the least likely to get them. The study highlighted the importance of access to medications such as semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic, which can be used to treat both diabetes and obesity.

Semaglutide, found in the weight-loss drug Wegovy, and tirzepatide, found in the weight-loss medication Zepbound and the diabetes drug Mounjaro, are classified as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. These drugs help lower blood sugar levels to control type 2 diabetes and can also lead to weight loss. While Ozempic is approved for diabetes, it is also prescribed off-label for weight loss, and Zepbound was approved solely for obesity.

However, the high prices of these medications, exceeding $1,000 per month without insurance, can restrict access for many individuals. Medicare, one of the largest insurance programs for older adults, does not cover these drugs for weight loss, and Medicaid in Connecticut also does not cover them for weight loss. Private insurance often imposes high deductibles and copays, further limiting access to these life-saving medications.

According to Alison Galvani, a professor at the Yale School of Public Health, about 8,000 deaths are currently being averted due to GLP-1 medications, but expanding access to all who are eligible could save more than 42,000 lives each year. However, access to these medications can be further restricted for people of certain races and in rural areas, exacerbating the disproportionate burden of diabetes and obesity among economically disadvantaged populations.

Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released in September 2023 found that in 23 states, more than 1 in 3 adults had obesity. Dr. Karen Hacker from the CDC emphasized the need for obesity prevention and treatment options, including medications like GLP-1s, combined with health behavior and lifestyle interventions.

Dr. Varalakshmi Niranjan, an associate professor of medicine at UConn specializing in obesity management, highlighted the importance of these medications in combating obesity, which she described as a silent killer that increases inflammation in the body and exacerbates mortality from various causes. She emphasized the need for wider availability of these medications regardless of insurance status, as they have shown significant improvements in weight loss and control of blood glucose levels.

As obesity continues to be a public health concern with far-reaching implications for overall health and well-being, access to effective medications like GLP-1 receptor agonists is crucial in saving lives and improving outcomes for individuals struggling with diabetes and obesity.