Access to Care and Ability to Afford Prescription and Medical Treatment Among Adults With Obesity in the United States
Author(s)
Haifa Alharbi, PharmD, MS, Jun Wu, PhD, Patrick Sullivan, PhD;
Nova Southeastern University, Department of Sociobehavioral and Administrative Pharmacy, Davie/Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
Nova Southeastern University, Department of Sociobehavioral and Administrative Pharmacy, Davie/Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
Presentation Documents
OBJECTIVES: Obesity rates continue to rise in the United States, representing a substantial public health threat. Although effective pharmacologic treatments are now available for weight loss, very few adults with obesity are treated. Within this context, understanding the healthcare experiences of people with obesity is increasingly important. This research aims to evaluate the accessibility and affordability of medical care and prescription medications for US adults with obesity.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study utilized data from the 2022 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) to identify individuals aged 18 and older with obesity (BMI ≥ 30). Obesity was categorized into classes I (BMI 30-34.9), II (BMI 35-39.9), and III (BMI ≥ 40). Logistic regression models assessed associations between BMI categories and three outcomes: having a usual source of healthcare, affordability of medical care, and affordability of prescription medications while adjusting for age, sex, and race/ethnicity. Personal weights were applied to obtain national estimates.
RESULTS: Among 10,601 eligible respondents, 3,711 (representing 50.9 million US adults) had obesity. Compared to normal-weight individuals, those with obesity were more likely to have a usual source of healthcare, with the odds increasing across obesity classes and reaching significance in Obesity Class III (OR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.39-2.43). While cost-related barriers to medical care did not significantly differ across obesity classes, the odds of experiencing medication affordability issues increased with the obesity class. Specifically, adults in obesity class III had the highest odds of delaying medications due to cost (OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.50-3.77) and being unable to afford medications (OR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.18-3.12).
CONCLUSIONS: While adults with obesity engage more with the healthcare system, they face significant barriers to medication affordability. Targeted interventions and policies are needed to improve access to affordable care and support effective obesity management.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study utilized data from the 2022 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) to identify individuals aged 18 and older with obesity (BMI ≥ 30). Obesity was categorized into classes I (BMI 30-34.9), II (BMI 35-39.9), and III (BMI ≥ 40). Logistic regression models assessed associations between BMI categories and three outcomes: having a usual source of healthcare, affordability of medical care, and affordability of prescription medications while adjusting for age, sex, and race/ethnicity. Personal weights were applied to obtain national estimates.
RESULTS: Among 10,601 eligible respondents, 3,711 (representing 50.9 million US adults) had obesity. Compared to normal-weight individuals, those with obesity were more likely to have a usual source of healthcare, with the odds increasing across obesity classes and reaching significance in Obesity Class III (OR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.39-2.43). While cost-related barriers to medical care did not significantly differ across obesity classes, the odds of experiencing medication affordability issues increased with the obesity class. Specifically, adults in obesity class III had the highest odds of delaying medications due to cost (OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.50-3.77) and being unable to afford medications (OR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.18-3.12).
CONCLUSIONS: While adults with obesity engage more with the healthcare system, they face significant barriers to medication affordability. Targeted interventions and policies are needed to improve access to affordable care and support effective obesity management.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-05, ISPOR 2025, Montréal, Quebec, CA
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S1
Code
P55
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health
Disease
SDC: Diabetes/Endocrine/Metabolic Disorders (including obesity)