Racial Disparities in Ozempic and Wegovy Access: Study Reveals Unequal Treatment for US Minority Veterans

Racial Disparities in Ozempic and Wegovy Access: Study Reveals Unequal Treatment for US Minority Veterans

November 12, 2024 Catherine Williams - Chief Editor Health

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Access to Diabetes and Weight Loss Medications Among U.S. Veterans

U.S. military veterans are facing racial and ethnic disparities in accessing Novo Nordisk’s popular medications for diabetes and weight loss, according to a recent study.

Medications Involved

  • The medications in question are Ozempic and Wegovy, both of which contain semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist used to treat type 2 diabetes and manage weight.

Study Findings

  • Researchers analyzed data from 1.9 million patients who are overweight or obese, including nearly 809,000 with diabetes, at U.S. Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities.
  • Black patients with diabetes were 26% less likely to receive a semaglutide prescription compared to white patients. For Black patients without diabetes, the likelihood was 9% lower.
  • Veterans identified as American Indian/Alaskan Native and Asian/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander with diabetes had 17% lower odds of receiving a semaglutide prescription than white patients.
  • There were no significant differences in prescription rates between Hispanic and white veterans.

Disparities Highlighted

  • The most significant undertreatment was observed among minority racial groups with diabetes.
  • This pattern indicates "disparities within disparities," where certain racial and ethnic groups are less likely to receive these novel therapies, particularly those with multiple health indications who could benefit the most.

Policy and Supply Considerations

  • The VA’s policies for allocating GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide are still developing, influenced by the fluctuating supply from manufacturers and changing demand from patients and healthcare providers.
  • Study leader Dr. Rebecca Tisdale hopes that studies like this will ensure equity is a central consideration in shaping these policies.

Future Presentation

  • Dr. Tisdale will present these findings at the upcoming American Heart Association scientific meeting in Chicago.
,