Report: Kentucky leads the nation in weight loss drug prescriptions
Kentucky ranks atop the list of states in the country with the highest rate of people prescribed for a popular weight loss drug, according to a published report from Bloomberg, citing data from health tech company PurpleLab.
According to the Bloomberg article, 6.8% of Kentuckians, about 1 of every 15 residents, prescribe to a class of drugs known as incretins. The drug, initially used to treat type-2 diabetes, mimics hormones that regulate blood sugar and suppress appetite. Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound are popular brand of the incretin drugs.
Additionally, the study said Bowling Green has the highest rate of incretin prescriptions in the nation — about 4% of Bowling Green’s 74,000 residents. The story said Bowling Green is a perfect location for the weight loss drug capital in the country, given the state’s high obesity rate and large middle class population in Bowling Green.
States with the highest use of prescription weight loss drugs
Rounding out the top five of the states with the highest weight-loss prescription rates behind Kentucky are Alabama, West Virginia, Mississippi and Georgia, according to the Bloomberg article.
This story was originally published August 12, 2024 at 11:02 AM.
