As GLP-1 medications gain popularity for managing diabetes and obesity, troubling racial disparities in access are emerging. A recent study found that White patients were more likely to fill their GLP-1 prescriptions than Black and Hispanic patients, despite similar medical needs.
Out of nearly 10,000 prescriptions analyzed, 60.9% of White patients filled theirs, compared to 58.4% of Hispanic patients and just 55.3% of Black patients. These gaps persist even though Black and Hispanic patients often paid less out-of-pocket—$41.15 and $63.69 respectively, compared to $78.37 for White patients. Researchers suggest that affordability is relative, and what feels expensive to one patient may be prohibitive to another.
Insurance coverage plays a major role. Patients with both diabetes and obesity had higher fill rates (64.6%) than those with only one condition. Those prescribed GLP-1s for obesity alone faced the steepest costs—averaging $134.04—due to limited insurance coverage for weight loss treatment.
“Individuals might have different cost thresholds that dissuade prescription access,” the report noted, highlighting how economic stress intersects with race and health. Without consistent access, patients risk poor medication adherence, undermining the effectiveness of these treatments.
Experts call for further research to uncover the barriers preventing Black and Hispanic patients from accessing GLP-1s. As the drugs become more central to chronic disease management, ensuring equitable access is critical to closing racial health gaps.
See: “Which patients face barriers accessing GLP-1 prescriptions?” (October 20, 2025)
