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Thu, December 19, 2024

Some racial and ethnic groups may face barriers to obtaining obesity medications


Published on 2024-12-19 02:43:10 - MSN
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  • Asians, non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics were significantly less likely than whites to use obesity-management medications to lower their weight compared with whites, new research suggests. The differences could not be fully explained by income or education level,

The article from MSN discusses the disparities in access to obesity medications among different racial and ethnic groups in the United States. It highlights that despite the availability of new, effective weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound, many Black, Hispanic, and Asian Americans face significant barriers in obtaining these treatments. These barriers include lower rates of diagnosis for obesity, less frequent prescribing of these medications, and issues related to insurance coverage and affordability. The piece points out that systemic factors such as healthcare provider biases, lack of awareness about these medications, and socioeconomic factors contribute to these disparities. Furthermore, the article notes that even when these groups are diagnosed with obesity, they are less likely to receive prescriptions for these advanced treatments, which could significantly improve their health outcomes. This situation underscores the broader issues of health equity and the need for more inclusive healthcare policies and practices.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/diseases-and-conditions/some-racial-and-ethnic-groups-may-face-barriers-to-obtaining-obesity-medications/ar-AA1w5Umj ]
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