(Area) — New numbers from the CDC show that waistlines are growing, with at least one-in-five American adults living with obesity. But researchers are hopeful that change is coming, thanks to the acceptance of medications like Ozempic.
“One of the barriers that we’ve had recently is that unfortunately these medications are expensive,” said Dr. Maria Escobar-Vasco with the University of Texas Health System.
She says the drugs are not covered by insurance. But that could change, she says, thanks to studies showing Ozempic reduces obesity complications.
The CDC report shows that 23 states had obesity rates at 35 percent or higher.