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Obesity is a complex health condition affecting over 890 million adults globally. (World Health Organization, 2024). Those living with obesity are at a much higher risk of noncommunicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, cancers, neurological disorders, chronic respiratory diseases, and digestive disorders. (World Health Organization, 2024)
There are many factors that influence weight and obesity- including diet, physical activity, genetics, and social factors.
Fortunately, it is possible to manage, treat, and reduce the risk of obesity through healthy lifestyle choices and in some cases, pharmaceutical and medical intervention.
Medical weight management
Prescription weight loss medication can be a powerful tool for individuals seeking to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight. Examples of weight loss medications include GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonists (such as semaglutide and tirzepatide), as well as oral medications (such as bupropion, naltrexone, and metformin).
Medical interventions have been shown to significantly aid in weight management, especially when combined with lifestyle changes such as healthy eating and increased physical activity. (NIDDK, 2024) According to some studies, the use of prescription weight loss drugs can help patients lose up to 12% more than with lifestyle changes alone. (Mayo Clinic, 2022)
While these interventions can be very effective, many of these medications remain out of reach for those who could benefit from them. Addressing the barriers to access is crucial to improving public health outcomes and reducing obesity-related health disparities.
Disparities and barriers limit access to weight loss medications
Unfortunately, high costs, limited insurance coverage, and various socioeconomic factors make it difficult for certain groups to access these prescription medications, even when medically necessary.
A 2022 study found that many Americans who were eligible for the GLP-1 semaglutide were likely to be unable to afford the medication. (Lu, 2022) Researchers noted that a larger proportion of Black and Hispanic adults had financial barriers than other subgroups, making it more difficult for these communities to get access to the anti-diabetic and anti-obesity medication. (Lu, 2022)
Here’s a breakdown of some factors that can influence medication access.
Socioeconomic status
Cost barriers: Weight management medications are often expensive, and in recent years have been increasing in cost due to high demand and inflated market prices. (Backman, 2024) Many insurance plans either partially cover or exclude them altogether. For people without adequate financial resources, this creates a significant barrier to access. (Klein, 2024)
Hidden costs: Beyond the price of prescription drugs are additional and hidden costs such as regular doctor visits, diagnostic tests, and follow-ups.
Because of these factors, people of lower socioeconomic status often have a more difficult time accessing and maintaining care.
Geographical disparities
Where patients are located can also play a large role in their need for medical weight management. For example, those living in food deserts are also more likely to be in an underserved or rural area that may lack specialized providers. (Washington, 2023) Limited access to pharmacies and healthcare facilities further complicates the issue.
Racial and ethnic disparities
Minority populations, particularly Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous groups, face disproportionate rates of obesity but often encounter systemic barriers in accessing treatment. (Washington, 2023) These include implicit bias in healthcare, lower rates of insurance coverage, and language barriers.
Gender disparities
Women, particularly those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, are more likely to experience weight stigma and receive less medical attention for obesity-related concerns. (Washington, 2023) On the other hand, men may be less likely to seek medical intervention for weight loss due to fear of judgment, stigma, and societal norms.
Obesity stigma and misconceptions
Obesity is often misunderstood as solely a result of poor lifestyle choices, ignoring the genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors that contribute to it. (Washington, 2023) This stigma can deter individuals from seeking treatment and can lead to misinformed providers, insurance companies, and policymakers deprioritizing weight loss drug coverage and access.
Cultural and language barriers
Navigating healthcare systems and understanding available options can be challenging for anyone with poor health literacy, especially non-native English speakers in America. Lack of culturally competent care can further exacerbate these disparities.
Increasing access to weight loss medications
Now that we’ve covered common barriers to accessing weight loss drugs, let’s discuss ways to reduce and address disparities and improve access for all.
Expand insurance coverage
As discussed already, most Americans are paying some out of pocket costs in order to use medical weight loss drugs. Over 50% of users expressed difficulty covering the costs, and 19% of insurance adults did not receive any coverage for the medication. (Klein, 2024) Advocacy is needed to push for broader insurance coverage of weight loss medications. Classifying obesity as a chronic disease and emphasizing the cost-effectiveness of treating overweight and obesity can encourage insurers to cover more costs associated with these medications.
Increase affordability
It is no secret that the costs of many pharmaceutical drugs are inflated due to demand and high market averages. (Backman, 2024) By establishing pricing caps and prioritizing more patient assistance programs, we can help decrease the cost of medications and improve access for low-income individuals.
Telemedicine and remote care
Telemedicine is another way to increase access for patients who are in rural or underserved areas, or may struggle to make it to in-person visits due to transportation issues, work schedules, etc. Remote health care offers a way for patients to connect with specialized providers from the comfort of their homes. Research also shows that outcomes are very comparable for in-person vs. online obesity treatment. (Latorre-Rodriguez, 2024)
Interested in virtual weight management? Get started with Fighting Weight.
Culturally competent care
Training healthcare providers to recognize and address cultural and linguistic needs can improve care for diverse populations. (Stubbe, 2020) Actionable steps to improve culturally competent care include providing materials in multiple languages and hiring interpreters to effectively communicate with non-native English speakers.
Advocacy and interventions
Partnering with community organizations to provide education, screenings, and referrals can help reach populations that are traditionally underserved.
It’s also important to advocate for more funding and programs to support obesity research and treatment. This can be done through government and privately funded research, subsidizing medications, and creating programs to reduce barriers.
Improving medical weight management
Access to weight loss medications is a crucial component of addressing the global obesity epidemic. By reducing disparities, addressing barriers, and implementing inclusive strategies, we can ensure that everyone has the opportunity to achieve and maintain a healthier weight.
Obesity is not just a personal challenge but a societal issue. Making weight loss medications more accessible is a step toward creating a healthier, more equitable future for all. We at Fighting Weight are working hard to ensure more people have access to personalized care. Through online treatment plans and customized ingredients, we’re making it easier for you to reclaim your peak self. Get access to weight loss medications today.
Citations:
World Health Organization. March 1 2024. Obesity and overweight. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). June 2024. NIH. Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight & Obesity. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/prescription-medications-treat-overweight-obesity
Mayo Clinic. October 29 2022. Prescription weight-loss drugs. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/weight-loss-drugs/art-20044832
Lu, Y., Liu, Y., & Krumholz, H. M. (2022). Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Financial Barriers Among Overweight and Obese Adults Eligible for Semaglutide in the United States. Journal of the American Heart Association, 11(19), e025545. https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.121.025545
Backman, Isabella. April 29 2024. Prices of Expensive Diabetes Medicines and Weight-loss Drugs Are Drastically Higher Than Production Costs. Yale School of Medicine. https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/prices-of-expensive-diabetes-medicines-and-weight-loss-drugs-are-drastically-higher-than-production-costs/
Hayden Klein. May 2024. Most Insured Adults Still Have to Pay at Least Part of the Cost of GLP-1 Drugs. AJMC. https://www.ajmc.com/view/most-insured-adults-still-have-to-pay-at-least-part-of-the-cost-of-glp-1-drugs
Washington, T. B., Johnson, V. R., Kendrick, K., Ibrahim, A. A., Tu, L., Sun, K., & Stanford, F. C. (2023). Disparities in Access and Quality of Obesity Care. Gastroenterology clinics of North America, 52(2), 429–441. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gtc.2023.02.003
Latorre-Rodríguez, A. R., Shah, R. H., Munir, S., & Mittal, S. K. (2024). Adoption of telemedicine for obesity treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic achieved comparable outcomes to in-person visits. Obesity pillars, 12, 100131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obpill.2024.100131
Stubbe D. E. (2020). Practicing Cultural Competence and Cultural Humility in the Care of Diverse Patients. Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing), 18(1), 49–51. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20190041
