Expanding Access to Weight Loss Drugs: A Solution to the Obesity Crisis in the Black Community

Obesity is a pressing public health issue in the United States, with racial and ethnic minority communities being disproportionately affected. In fact, approximately 49% of adults in the Black community are classified as obese, making them particularly vulnerable to this health crisis. The pharmaceutical industry has responded to this growing problem by developing anti-obesity drugs, which offer hope in tackling this issue. It is estimated that the weight loss market could reach $44 billion by 2030.

Over the past few years, several new anti-obesity medications have emerged, providing new opportunities for obesity treatment. Drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, developed by Novo Nordisk, and Mounjaro by Eli Lilly, have shown promise in helping people lose weight. Although initially approved to treat type 2 diabetes by the FDA, these medications have also been found effective in weight management.

According to Goldman Sachs, if overweightness continues to rise, it could lead to a $4 trillion reduction in global GDP by 2035. Recognizing the economic implications, pharmaceutical companies are eager to tap into this market and capitalize on its immense revenue potential. However, despite the potential benefits of these drugs, their high cost remains a major barrier to access. Some weight loss drugs can cost more than $1,300 per month out-of-pocket, and coverage through Medicare, Medicaid, and private plans is often limited.

In an effort to expand access to weight loss drugs, companies like Novo Nordisk have started reaching out to influential Black leaders. They have enlisted celebrities like Queen Latifah and Yvette Nicole Brown to advocate for Medicare coverage of these medications in an educational campaign. Novo Nordisk is working to overturn a 20-year-old ban on Medicare coverage for drugs used in weight loss treatments.

The burden of obesity is not evenly distributed across racial and ethnic lines. The majority of adults with obesity are Black, constituting almost half of the population. Additionally, 45% are Hispanic, 41% are white, and 16% are Asian, according to the CDC. It is important to note that Black people make up only 10% of Medicare beneficiaries in the country. Shockingly, more than half of the Black Medicare population is affected by obesity, and three-fourths suffer from hypertension.

Expanding Medicare coverage to include these new weight loss drugs could significantly reduce healthcare costs. A white paper by the USC Schaeffer Center estimates that treating obesity could generate approximately $175 billion in cost offsets to Medicare within the first decade alone, with this number increasing to $700 billion over 30 years. Moreover, if all eligible Americans were treated, the prevalence of obesity in the Medicare population could decrease by 53% in the first decade.

It is important to acknowledge that these weight loss drugs are not without their downsides. Gastrointestinal issues are the most commonly reported side effect among people starting semaglutide, according to UCLA Health. Despite these side effects and the high cost, the potential benefits of these medications in terms of both health outcomes and financial savings are significant.

Efforts to expand coverage of these weight loss drugs, especially through Medicare, play a crucial role in addressing the obesity crisis, specifically its disproportionate impact on the Black community. By increasing access to these medications, we can take a step forward in combating obesity and improving the overall health and well-being of individuals in minority communities.