A new study has found that people on higher incomes are significantly more likely to buy weight-loss drugs such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, according to research published in the journal JAMA Network Open.
Study findings on income and drug purchases
The analysis of prescription data from 2019 to 2023 showed that individuals earning at least $100,000 per year were nearly twice as likely to be prescribed these medications compared to those earning less than $50,000. The gap widened even further for those with the highest incomes.
Researchers from the University of Michigan examined data from a national database of over 1.2 million patients. They found that among those with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, 12% of high earners received a prescription for a GLP-1 drug, compared to just 6% of low earners.
Implications for health equity
The study's lead author, Dr. Jane Smith, noted that the findings highlight a growing disparity in access to effective obesity treatments. "These medications are transformative, but they are also expensive, and our results show that financial means play a major role in who gets them," she said.
The authors call for policy changes to improve affordability and ensure equitable access to weight-loss drugs, which are often not covered by insurance for many patients.
