3 Factors That Keep Americans From Using New Weight Loss Drugs
The latest
National survey released Friday by KFF, a health policy-focused nonprofit, found that Americans yearn for safe and effective weight-loss drugs . But the more they learn about new drugs like Wegovy that are transforming the treatment of obesity, the more their enthusiasm fades.
The survey found that 59% of people trying to lose weight said they were interested in taking a safe and effective drug. But only 23% remained interested when asked if they would take such a drug if it were to be injected. And only 16% were still interested if their insurance wouldn't pay for the drug. The going price for the drugs is around $1300 per month.
When they learned they would regain their lost weight if they stopped taking the drug , interest fell to 14%.< /p>
"People still want that magic pill," said Ashley Kirzinger, director of survey methodology at KFF. "There is no magic."
The survey was conducted in July online and by phone among a representative sample of 1,327 American adults .
Credit... Cydni Elledge for The New York TimesThis is the median weight loss experienced by people taking Wegovy, a drug from Novo Nordisk.
New drugs are the first truly effective drugs against obesity. They work by curbing people's appetites and food cravings. Many patients started by taking Ozempic, a diabetes drug also from Novo Nordisk that caused weight loss as a side effect. But many more patients are asking for Wegovy, which is approved for obesity. Mounjaro, made by Eli Lilly and approved for the treatment of diabetes, is expected to be approved for obesity soon. People who take it lose an average of 20% of their body weight.
Background: Attitudes towards obesity and medication are sh...
National survey released Friday by KFF, a health policy-focused nonprofit, found that Americans yearn for safe and effective weight-loss drugs . But the more they learn about new drugs like Wegovy that are transforming the treatment of obesity, the more their enthusiasm fades.
The survey found that 59% of people trying to lose weight said they were interested in taking a safe and effective drug. But only 23% remained interested when asked if they would take such a drug if it were to be injected. And only 16% were still interested if their insurance wouldn't pay for the drug. The going price for the drugs is around $1300 per month.
When they learned they would regain their lost weight if they stopped taking the drug , interest fell to 14%.< /p>
"People still want that magic pill," said Ashley Kirzinger, director of survey methodology at KFF. "There is no magic."
The survey was conducted in July online and by phone among a representative sample of 1,327 American adults .
Credit... Cydni Elledge for The New York TimesThis is the median weight loss experienced by people taking Wegovy, a drug from Novo Nordisk.
New drugs are the first truly effective drugs against obesity. They work by curbing people's appetites and food cravings. Many patients started by taking Ozempic, a diabetes drug also from Novo Nordisk that caused weight loss as a side effect. But many more patients are asking for Wegovy, which is approved for obesity. Mounjaro, made by Eli Lilly and approved for the treatment of diabetes, is expected to be approved for obesity soon. People who take it lose an average of 20% of their body weight.
Background: Attitudes towards obesity and medication are sh...What's Your Reaction?
