--weights drugs spark healthcare visits

These days, there's a buzz about certain weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound. A recent study by health data company Truveta found that people taking these drugs often end up seeing their doctor more. This isn't just about slimming down; it's also leading to diagnoses of other related health issues like sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. Some people had avoided medical care for years due to stigma and concerns about bias. But now, these drugs are getting them to step into the doctor's office. The data showed that in 2024, 42 out of every 1, 000 people starting a GLP-1 prescription were also diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within two weeks. This increased from 32 in 2020. Similar trends were seen for sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease. Not only is this impacting healthcare, but it's also boosting businesses like ResMed, a company that sells sleep apnea devices. Their revenue jumped by 11%, partly thanks to the rise of these drugs. GLP-1 medications, popularized by drugs like Ozempic, work by mimicking appetite and blood sugar-regulating hormones. They've become go-to treatments for obesity and type 2 diabetes. This surge in demand has made Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, the makers of these drugs, the world's largest pharma companies. As more people consider these drugs for weight loss, it's also opening doors to earlier detection and treatment of other related health issues. It's a complex interplay of health, medicine, and lifestyle choices.