Half of Americans Support Weight-Loss Drugs Like Ozempic for Obesity, Poll

A majority of Americans approve of adults using weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and other brands to treat obesity, according to a new poll.

But public support is weaker for adolescents, according to the survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Newsweek has reached out to AP-NORC for comment via email.

Why It Matters

Obesity affects more than 100 million adults in the U.S., with over 22 million classified as severely obese. Health experts classify it as a chronic disease requiring medical intervention, and weight-loss drugs have emerged as a major treatment option. However, concerns remain about their use among adolescents and those who do not have obesity.

What To Know

The poll found that 54 percent of Americans believe the weight-loss injections are a good thing for adults struggling with obesity or related health conditions, and 17 percent say they are a bad thing. When it comes to adolescents aged 12 to 18, public opinion is divided: 35 percent are positive, 37 percent negative, and the rest are neutral.

Doctors argue that weight-loss medications are valuable tools for treating obesity, particularly for young patients. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that doctors consider prescribing these medications to children 12 and older and the American Medical Association has urged insurance companies to cover them.

Insurance Coverage Remains a Barrier

Cost is a major obstacle for many. The drugs can be expensive without insurance, with out-of-pocket expenses reaching hundreds of dollars per prescription. The poll found that about half of Americans support Medicare and Medicaid covering weight-loss drugs for those with obesity, while around 20 percent oppose it and 25 percent are neutral.

Medicare currently does not cover the drugs for obesity, and Medicaid coverage varies by state. Some large employers and Medicaid programs are adding coverage, while others are scaling back due to cost concerns.

What People Are Saying

Dr. Cate Varney, an obesity specialist at UVA Health stated: "We're leveling the playing field with these medications."

Anjanette Ewen, who lost 67 pounds on Mounjaro said: "I've been on a weight loss journey for forever, it seems like, and nothing was working." Ewen credited her weight loss for helping her discover a cancerous lump.

What Happens Next

The debate over weight-loss drug access and coverage is expected to continue, especially as more insurers decide whether to include these medications. With demand growing, public opinion could shift as new research and policies shape the conversation.

The AP-NORC poll of 1,147 adults was conducted Jan. 9-13, using a sample drawn from NORC's probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press