NATIONWIDE — GLP-1 receptor agonists, originally developed for managing type 2 diabetes, have rapidly emerged as highly effective treatment options for obesity. Medications such as semaglutide (branded as Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (branded as Mounjaro and Zepbound) work by mimicking a natural hormone that regulates both appetite and blood sugar. By reducing hunger and promoting a feeling of fullness, these drugs have been shown to facilitate significant weight loss, with many patients shedding 15 percent or more of their body weight.

The efficacy of GLP-1s has made them a breakthrough not only in managing obesity and diabetes, but also in their potential to treat several related conditions. According to IRIS—a proprietary market intelligence platform developed by Real Chemistry—GLP-1s could show efficacy and safety in as many as 20 therapeutic areas in the next 10 years. This could lead to FDA approvals for treatment in obstructive sleep apnea, kidney disease, Alzheimer’s disease, liver disease, PCOS and more.

Real Chemistry is a health care communications and marketing firm specializing in integrating data science, strategy and technology to provide solutions for life science companies.

Despite the benefits of GLP-1 medications, access to the drugs remains inequitable. Perceived high costs, inconsistent insurance coverage and drug shortages have created barriers, limiting who is currently benefiting from these treatments. While obesity affects more than 40 percent of U.S. adults—up from roughly 30 percent in 2000—access to GLP-1 therapies is inconsistent across demographic and socioeconomic groups. For instance, lower-income and minority populations, who are disproportionately affected by obesity, are also the least likely to access these medications.

Using data from IRIS—which consists of medical, hospital and pharmacy claims as a primary data source, covering more than 300 million U.S. patients over 10 years—the study examines the rising demand for GLP-1 drugs, along with the demographic and geographic disparities in access.

At the state level, GLP-1 use among all patients (not just obesity patients) ranges from a high of 1.9 percent in Kentucky to a low of 0.4 percent in Hawaii. Generally, GLP-1 usage is concentrated in the Southeast and parts of the Midwest, where self-reported obesity rates also tend to be higher. 

In contrast, eight of the 10 states with the lowest share of patients on GLP-1s are located in the western U.S., where obesity prevalence tends to be lower.

However, these wide differences also highlight the complex mix of demographic, socioeconomic and cultural factors that drive access to and adoption of GLP-1 treatments. (The report notes that obesity patients earning over $250,000 annually are 72 percent more likely to take a GLP-1 than those earning $50,000 or less—6.8 percent vs. 4 percent.)

Factors such as Medicaid coverage, income levels, age and health care infrastructure play a crucial role in determining who can currently benefit from these medications, and addressing these disparities will be key to maximizing access to GLP-1 therapies in the years ahead.

In New York, according to IRIS, 1.2 percent of all patients take a GLP-1. A majority are women—64.1 percent. 

In PA, 1.5 percent of all patients take the medication, and 64.7 percent are women. 

Read the entire report, which includes more demographic details and information about GLP-1 medications, at www.realchemistry.com/article/states-with-highest-rates-of-glp-1-use.

Story contributed by Real Chemistry. Learn more at www.realchemistry.com.