It’s straightforward to assume the states main the cost on buzzy weight-loss injectables like Ozempic and Zepbound are California or New York, in any case, that’s the place lots of the viral headlines and superstar rumors are born. However new information tells a special story, and it begins in part of the nation you won’t count on.
In line with new numbers from analysis achieved by the Whitley Legislation Agency, West Virginia tops the checklist for GLP-1 prescriptions per capita, with greater than 24,000 prescriptions crammed for each 100,000 residents. That’s greater than double what’s seen in lower-use states like Hawaii and Nevada. Coming in proper behind West Virginia are Kentucky and Louisiana, two extra southern states the place demand is clearly sky-high.
Prime 10 States with GLP-1 Prescriptions The ten states with essentially the most GLP-1 prescriptions in 2024 in response to Whitley Legislation Agency’s analysis
So, what’s driving GLP-1 use in these much less apparent locations? Consultants level to a mixture of elements—larger charges of weight problems and kind 2 diabetes, rising entry by way of telehealth, and compounding pharmacies that make these medicines extra accessible.
“As the conversation around GLP-1 medications continues, it’s important to consider the factors driving these trends,” says a spokesperson for the legislation agency. “Understanding these patterns can help inform future discussions on public health and medical accessibility.”
In the meantime, coastal hubs like California and New York don’t even crack the highest 10 when adjusted for inhabitants. Alaska, North Dakota and Oklahoma are all exhibiting speedy progress, too—proving this isn’t only a Hollywood or TikTok development.
The underside line? GLP-1s at the moment are in all places. And the weight-loss dialog is now not simply taking place on the crimson carpet. It’s taking place in cities large and small, in each nook of the nation.
