Few Black patients are receiving prescriptions to manage obesity and diabetes, research finds.

The use of anti-obesity and diabetes medication has been a growing concern among the Black community in the United States. According to a CNN report, only 1.7% of people in the U.S. have been prescribed semaglutide drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. As the demand for these drugs escalates, there is an evident disparity between the use of the medication among Black people and other groups.

Research suggests that Black people are having trouble accessing the medication, while white people are four times more likely to receive a prescription. One study uncovered that between 2015 and 2020, 56.6% of Black adults were eligible for semaglutide, which marked the highest among other groups.

Unfortunately, lack of insurance is one of the primary issues causing health inequities among the Black population. Northwestern Medicine Internal Medicine Physician Kimbra A. Bell, MD, commented on the matter: “Access to care is a huge barrier within our Black and Brown communities. Additionally, the inability to afford quality medical care and prescription medications can be a hindrance as well. So, conditions such as diabetes are not managed as well as they could be and subsequently result in poorer outcomes.”

The cost of the medication is also a major challenge for many Black people. For a one-month supply, eligible patients must pay up to $1,349 for Wegovy and $936 for Ozempic. This is reportedly higher than in other countries.

In an effort to improve accessibility for Black patients, experts are calling for better patient advocacy, spreading awareness among the Black community, and discounted programs. Additionally, Black tech health startups have been created to address the lack of access to medical care and transportation.

In a statement, pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk said that they distribute their “existing supply across markets in a responsible manner consistent with our focus on continuity of care and access to innovative medicines.”

The situation is far from ideal, but with the help of initiatives by both public and private entities, Black people in the U.S. can look forward to better access to anti-obesity and diabetes medication in the future.

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