Category
Poster - Applied
Description
Approximately 42% of adults in the US today are classified as obese, an additional 30% categorized as overweight, and it is projected that half of the adult U.S. population will meet the criteria for obesity by 2030. Obesity is associated with negative health outcomes, compounded by substantial economic ramifications for affected individuals. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1s) receptor agonists like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide have garnered attention as promising weight-loss treatments. However, their widespread adoption has been impeded by financial constraints to the healthcare system. Our study aims to explore the association between prescription rates and costs of GLP-1 medications and obesity trends among Medicaid users in the 50 states. We explored data from the Medicaid Drug Utilization database for prescription rates, Medicaid and Non-Medicaid costs of GLP-1s (Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy and Rybelsus), and compared these to obesity rates across all 50 states from 2018-2023. The total cumulative expenditure on GLP-1s from 2018-2023 tantamounted to approximately $4.14 billion, with an additional $100 million defrayed by patients through other plans. Ozempic accounted for most Medicaid disbursements, exceeding $1.2 billion in 2023 alone, with its mean cost per prescription increasing from $700 to about $1000 from 2018 to 2023. Wegovy increased from $1100 to over $1300 per prescription from 2021 to 2022. Analogous trends were discerned with Rybelsus and Mounjaro. There were notable disparities in prescription rates per 1000 Medicaid enrollees across states, with Idaho, Alaska, and Kentucky evincing conspicuously higher (>47), while Arkansas, Arizona, and Colorado exhibited significantly lower (<2), rates. Despite the increased utilization of GLP-1s, obesity rates continue to rise across states. Therefore, access to GLP-1 medications as a singular strategy is insufficient in the fight against obesity. A multifaceted approach that encompasses lifestyle, policy, and public health initiatives is exigent.
GLP-1 Receptor Antagonists Medicaid Utilization Trends and Obesity Rates in the US
Poster - Applied
Approximately 42% of adults in the US today are classified as obese, an additional 30% categorized as overweight, and it is projected that half of the adult U.S. population will meet the criteria for obesity by 2030. Obesity is associated with negative health outcomes, compounded by substantial economic ramifications for affected individuals. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1s) receptor agonists like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide have garnered attention as promising weight-loss treatments. However, their widespread adoption has been impeded by financial constraints to the healthcare system. Our study aims to explore the association between prescription rates and costs of GLP-1 medications and obesity trends among Medicaid users in the 50 states. We explored data from the Medicaid Drug Utilization database for prescription rates, Medicaid and Non-Medicaid costs of GLP-1s (Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy and Rybelsus), and compared these to obesity rates across all 50 states from 2018-2023. The total cumulative expenditure on GLP-1s from 2018-2023 tantamounted to approximately $4.14 billion, with an additional $100 million defrayed by patients through other plans. Ozempic accounted for most Medicaid disbursements, exceeding $1.2 billion in 2023 alone, with its mean cost per prescription increasing from $700 to about $1000 from 2018 to 2023. Wegovy increased from $1100 to over $1300 per prescription from 2021 to 2022. Analogous trends were discerned with Rybelsus and Mounjaro. There were notable disparities in prescription rates per 1000 Medicaid enrollees across states, with Idaho, Alaska, and Kentucky evincing conspicuously higher (>47), while Arkansas, Arizona, and Colorado exhibited significantly lower (<2), rates. Despite the increased utilization of GLP-1s, obesity rates continue to rise across states. Therefore, access to GLP-1 medications as a singular strategy is insufficient in the fight against obesity. A multifaceted approach that encompasses lifestyle, policy, and public health initiatives is exigent.
Comments
Graduate