Racial and Ethnic Disparities in GLP-1 Drug Access: Who Gets These Medications? | Research

The takeaway

Study reveals significant racial and ethnic disparities in GLP-1 receptor agonist prescribing, with minority populations less likely to receive these effective medications.

Treatment gap by race
Minority patients with higher cardiometabolic risk are less likely to receive GLP-1 drugs, widening health disparities

What the researchers found

Significant racial/ethnic disparities exist in GLP-1 drug prescribing, with minority patients less likely to receive these medications despite higher cardiometabolic risk.

Why it matters

Health equity demands that effective treatments reach all patients equally. If the populations with the highest diabetes and cardiovascular risk are least likely to get GLP-1 drugs, these medications will worsen rather than narrow health disparities.

The numbers in context

Black population identified as having greater ASCVD risk. Specific prescribing rates by race/ethnicity were analyzed.

How the study worked

Analysis of GLP-1 RA prescribing patterns across racial and ethnic groups, adjusting for clinical characteristics and insurance status.

Who was studied

Type 2 diabetes patients across racial/ethnic groups in the U.S.

What this study cannot tell us

Observational study with potential unmeasured confounders. Disparities may partly reflect patient preferences or access to specialists. Regional variation in prescribing patterns.

How to read the evidence

Strong evidence: observational analysis of prescribing patterns with statistical adjustment for confounders.

When this study was published

Published in 2025. Addresses a critical equity issue as GLP-1 drugs become standard metabolic therapy.

The bigger picture

GLP-1 drug disparities reflect broader systemic inequities in healthcare. Addressing them requires multi-level interventions: prescriber education, insurance coverage reform, patient awareness campaigns, and culturally competent clinical care.

Questions still open

What interventions most effectively reduce GLP-1 prescribing disparities?
Are disparities driven by prescriber bias, insurance barriers, patient awareness, or structural access issues?
Will generic GLP-1 drugs reduce racial prescribing gaps?

Common questions

Are GLP-1 drugs prescribed equally to all racial groups?

No — this study found significant disparities. Black and Hispanic patients are less likely to receive GLP-1 drugs even when they have the same clinical need and insurance. This is a health equity problem that needs systemic solutions.

What can I do if I think I should be on a GLP-1 drug?

Ask your doctor specifically about GLP-1 receptor agonists. Bring information about their cardiovascular and kidney benefits. If insurance denies coverage, ask about patient assistance programs and appeal the decision. Advocate for yourself.

Read the original research

Racial/ethnic differences in the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 agonists) for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) benefit in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Current medical research and opinion, 41(11), 2067-2075

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Ahmed, Fahamina; Borghol, Amne; Grady, Madison; Rivera, Lauren; Meyers, Sierra; Olet, Susan. (2025). Racial/ethnic differences in the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 agonists) for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) benefit in patients with type 2 diabetes.. Current medical research and opinion, 41(11), 2067-2075. https://doi.org/10.1080/03007995.2025.2606551