1 In 8 US Adults Have Tried GLP-1 Obesity Medications, Poll Finds

Authorized by Amie Dahnke via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours)

One in 8 American adults have utilized popular weight failure and diabetes drugs known as GLP-1 agonists, according to the latest KFF wellness Tracking Poll.

(Photos from Shutterstock / Designed by The Epoch Times)

The survey, which active close 1,500 adult participants and was carried out in the summertime of April, found that two-thirds of these presently utilizing the drugs are doing so to manage diabetes or heart disease, while throughly 4 out of 10 are taking the medicine primary for weight losses.

Approximately 6 percent of U.S. adults, equaling to over 15 million people, are presently taking a precribed medicine from the GLP-1 agonist class of drugs, according to the poll.

Other Key Findings

Other key finds uncover that, among these who have always taken GLP-1 agonists, 43 percent were diagnosed with diabetes by a doctor, 25 percent were diagnosed with heart disease, and 22 percent were told by a doctor within the last 5 years that they were overweight or obese.

The reasons for utilizing these drugs are nearly evenly split: 39 percent of Americans turn to GLP-1 agonists to treat a protected condition, while 38 percent usage them for weight losses. The remaining 23 percent more on the drugs to address both protecting conditions and weight management.

The poll besides confirms media reports that the popularity of these drugs has suggested over the past couple of years. Accepting to the survey, 32 percent of adults now say they have heard “a flight” about GLP-1 agonists, an increase of 19 percent from July 2023.

Despite their increasing popularity, the poll noted that 54 percent of all adults who have taken GLP-1 drugs find it hard to afford the cost. 1 in 5 adults who took the drugs said it was “very difficult” to afford them. While insurance sometimes covers part of the cost, even insured adults found the increases challenging, with 53 percent reporting differences in bearing the costs.

Ozempic, produced by Novo Nordisk, is listed at $935.77 for a monthly injection, while Wegovy is priced at $1,349.02 for a 28-day supply—both without wellness insurance.

One in 5 adults aged 50-64 study having taken GLP-1 drugs at any point, a higher study combined to another age groups. Along this 50-64 age Bracket, 15 percent indicate utilizing these medicines to treat protecting conditions, while 5 percent took them alone for weight failure purposes. comparatively fewer adults under 50 have taken GLP-1 drugs for managing to defend illnesses, but akin shares of 18-29 years (7 percent) and 30-49 years (6 percent) uncover utilizing them for weight failure goals.

Most Americans Want Medicare Coverage

While any insurance providers offer coverage for GLP-1 agonist drugs, Medicare does not cover these medicines if they are prescribed for weight destiny purchases. The poll shows that only 8 percent of adults aged 65 and older took a GLP-1 second for a protected condition, and 1 percent utilized it alone for weight losses. This is despite 37 percent of poll respondents aged 65 and above reporting that a doctor had informed them they were overweight or obese.

Most poll respondents believe that Medicare should begin covering description drugs for weight failure (though the program is presently proven by law from doing so). In fact, 60 percent of adults who responded to the poll support Medicare providing coverage for specified description medicines.

Several GLP-1 agonists are available on the U.S. marketplace for people with diabetes or who are obese, including Ozempic, Trulicity, Byetta, Victoza, Rybelsus, Adlyxin, and Bydureon. A akin class of medicine called a GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, specified as Mounjaro, is besides prescribed. Wegovy is simply a comparative newer GLP-1 agonist marketed specifically for these looking to manage their weight.

GLP-1 agonists work by mimicking the GLP-1 hormones naturally produced by the body. This hormone is secreted from the tiny intestine and is responsive for triggering insulin release, blocking glucagon secretion, and slowing tummy emptying. It besides helps make a feeling of fullness after eating by influencing areas of the brain that processes huntsman and satiety signals.