GLP-1 receptor agonist medications for weight loss: Sociodemographic patterns of awareness, use, and access in a U.S. national cohort

PURPOSE: To describe patterns of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP1-RA) medication awareness, use, and access in a US adult cohort. METHODS: Using self-reported December 2023 data from a nationwide cohort (N = 4555), we examined predictors of awareness, use (≤3 years), and inability to access GLP1-RA medications. Poisson regression with robust standard errors estimated age/sex-adjusted prevalence ratios. Analyses were conducted overall and among participants meeting FDA clinical-eligibility criteria (BMI ≥30 kg/m² or ≥27 kg/m² + ≥1 comorbidity; N = 1883). RESULTS: Awareness was 81.6%; use was 8.3% overall, 13.4% among clinically-eligible participants, and 4.0% among ineligible participants. Overall, use was highest at ages 30-39 and 50-64 and among Hispanic and Black adults, parents, smokers, and those with healthcare barriers. Among clinically-eligible participants, use was lower among men (aPR=0.76, 95% CI: 0.60-0.96) and those with healthcare access barriers (aPR=0.47 [0.35-0.63]), and higher among those with income ≥ $100,000 versus < $49,000 (aPR=1.49 [1.12-1.98]). Among those who attempted treatment, 49.9% were unsuccessful; inability was more common for those with healthcare barriers (aPR=1.42 [1.14-1.77]). CONCLUSIONS: GLP1-RA awareness is high, but predictors of uptake and access differ by eligibility. Sociodemographic factors predicted uptake in the full cohort; income, sex, and healthcare barriers were significant predictors among clinically-eligible adults.