A Shocking Amount Of Adults Are Taking Ozempic Or Similar Drugs
Does it seem like everyone is taking Ozempic these days? The diabetes and weight loss drug, and others like it, known as GLP-1s, have become so popular, according to KFF, around 12% of adults in the U.S. have tried it at some point.
Losing weight is often viewed not just as a means of improving one’s physical appearance, but more importantly, as a crucial step towards a healthier life. Embarking on a weight loss journey can lead to numerous health benefits, including reduced risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. It can also enhance mental health by boosting self-esteem and decreasing the likelihood of depression.
The cornerstone of a weight loss journey is typically a balanced diet and regular physical activity but some are cutting corners with the revolutionary drug meant to treat Diabetes.
Here’s what the poll found about adults taking Ozempic:
- About 6% – or more than 15-million – American adults are currently taking one of these drugs.
- While 62% say they’ve taken a GLP-1 to treat a chronic condition, like diabetes or heart disease, four in 10 (43%) have taken it primarily to lose weight.
- A quarter of those who’ve ever taken one of these drugs have been told by a doctor that they have heart disease, and 22% have been told by a doctor that they’re overweight or obese in the last five years.
- Just over half (54%) of those who’ve taken GLP-1 drugs say the cost was hard to afford, while 22% say it was “very difficult.”
- Insurance covers at least part of the cost for those who are insured, but 53% say it was still tough to afford.
- Medicare currently doesn’t cover prescription drugs used for weight loss, but six in 10 think the policy should be changed to cover them for people who are “clinically overweight.”
- Over three-quarters (79%) report getting these drugs or a prescription for them from their primary care doctor or a specialist, 11% have gotten it from an online provider or website and 10% have gotten it from a medical spa or aesthetic medical center.
