Disparities in Prescription of Long‐Acting GLP‐1s
Authors' conclusion
Black and Hispanic patients were less likely and patients with private insurance, diabetes, and established patient relationships were more likely to be prescribed Sema/Tirz. Racial and ethnic disparities in medication prescription were less apparent after a state Medicaid policy change to cover new GLP-1s.
Study context
- Population
- Patients at medical weight management appointments at a large tertiary care center, January and April 2024
- Participants
- 2,060 patients
- Exposure
- Patient and appointment factors associated with Sema/Tirz prescription, before vs after MassHealth AOM coverage change
- Outcome
- Prescription of Sema/Tirz vs no or a different AOM
Methodological detailssingle tertiary care center
- Single tertiary care center
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Factors associated with Sema/Tirz prescription (multivariable analysis)
Private insurance, aOR
2.744
p < 0.001
Diabetes, aOR
2.507
p < 0.001
Established patient relationship, aOR
1.706
p < 0.001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Racial/ethnic differences in Sema/Tirz prescription by period
- January 2024: Black patients less likely to be prescribed Sema/Tirz
- 49% (p = 0.003)
- January 2024: Hispanic patients less likely to be prescribed Sema/Tirz
- 47% (p = 0.025)
- April 2024, after MassHealth changes: only "Not Disclosed" race less likely to receive Sema/Tirz
- P < 0.001
Original publication
Disparities in Prescription of Long‐Acting GLP‐1s. Obesity (Silver Spring). Published 2 March 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →