A Record Share of Americans Are Now Taking These Medications
An estimated 40 million U.S. adults are now taking a GLP-1 medication specifically for weight loss — a number that represents approximately 11 percent of the adult population and nearly quadruples the 3 percent who reported using these drugs for the same purpose in 2024. That figure comes from the Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index, released July 7, 2026, based on a survey of 5,065 U.S. adults conducted in late May and early June.
The release of those numbers comes just days after a watershed federal policy change: beginning July 1, 2026, eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries can access GLP-1 medications approved for weight loss — including Wegovy, oral Wegovy, Zepbound, and Foundayo — for a flat $50 monthly copay through a new program called the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. The program runs through December 31, 2027.
Together, these developments represent the sharpest acceleration in the treatment of obesity that American public health has witnessed in decades.
Why This Matters
For most of the past two decades, the American obesity rate climbed without interruption. Now, for the first time, Gallup's data show a meaningful reversal. The U.S. adult obesity rate has declined from a 2022 peak of 39.9 percent to 36.4 percent in 2026 — a statistically meaningful drop that Gallup directly ties to the surge in GLP-1 prescriptions. Diabetes diagnosis rates, which rose slowly for 15 consecutive years alongside rising obesity, have now held steady since 2023.
The practical stakes for patients are enormous. Until July 1, 2026, Medicare Part D plans could cover GLP-1 drugs only for approved diagnoses such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease risk reduction, or sleep apnea — but not for weight management alone. Millions of older Americans were effectively priced out. Brand-name GLP-1 drugs can cost $299 to $699 per month without coverage.
The $50 flat copay — which stays the same regardless of dose — removes that barrier for eligible seniors who meet the program's weight and health criteria.
What We Know So Far
The Gallup survey was conducted May 28 through June 5, 2026, encompassing all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The margin of sampling error for the overall GLP-1 result is ±1.5 percentage points. Key findings include:
- 11 percent of U.S. adults currently take a GLP-1 for weight loss (up from 3 percent in 2024 and 8 percent in 2025)
- 15 percent have used a GLP-1 medication for weight loss at some point
- 68 percent of current users take brand-name medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, or Zepbound
- 19 percent take compounded or custom-mixed GLP-1 versions not approved by the FDA
- 91 percent of Americans now know GLP-1 drugs can be used for weight loss (up from 80 percent in 2024)
The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), is a demonstration program operating outside the standard Part D benefit. A KFF analysis estimated that approximately 3.8 million Medicare Part D beneficiaries may be eligible based on 2023 enrollment data.
Local Context: Who This Reaches
GLP-1 drug use is not evenly distributed across the country. Price and insurance coverage remain the dominant barriers. The Gallup survey found that 66 percent of patients who switched from brand-name to compounded GLP-1 versions cited cost as the primary reason, and 34 percent cited insurance coverage problems.
Dr. Vadim Sherman of Houston Methodist described the access gap clearly: "Widespread adoption is still an issue, mostly due to insurance coverage and cost."
CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz stated at the program's launch: "For too long, many Americans have been unable to access these treatments because of cost." The Medicare program is specifically designed to address that gap for the 65-and-older population and certain younger Medicare-eligible individuals.
For adults not on Medicare, access still depends heavily on commercial insurance coverage — which varies significantly by employer and plan. Many commercial plans now cover GLP-1 drugs for obesity, but prior authorization requirements, step-therapy mandates, and cost-sharing can still create significant barriers. About half of GLP-1 users report finding the medications difficult to afford, according to KFF polling.
What Doctors and Experts Say
The Gallup data also captured an important nuance: 19 percent of current GLP-1 users are taking compounded versions — formulations not approved by the FDA that became widely available during supply shortages. The FDA issued a warning in June 2026 calling compounded versions "potentially risky for patients." Despite that warning, compounded GLP-1 products remain in use, partly because they cost significantly less than brand-name alternatives.
Dan Witters, Gallup's research director for the National Health and Well-Being Index, described the dynamic in the survey report: "The lower cost of compounded or custom-mixed varieties is fueling a shift away from brand-name choices and is likely making GLP-1s available to broader sectors of the population."
The Gallup data also illustrate an interesting efficacy perception gap: 39 percent of compounded GLP-1 users said their medication was "extremely effective," compared with 32 percent of brand-name users — though researchers and regulators caution that compounded versions have not undergone the same clinical testing as FDA-approved drugs.
What the Evidence Shows and What It Does Not
The Gallup obesity and GLP-1 data are drawn from self-reported surveys, which introduces known limitations. Obesity status is calculated using self-reported height and weight rather than direct clinical measurement, which can produce underestimates. Diabetes status is similarly self-reported based on physician diagnosis.
The correlation between rising GLP-1 use and declining obesity rates is real and statistically meaningful — but correlation does not prove that GLP-1 drugs alone caused the obesity rate to drop. Other factors, including changes in diet, activity patterns, and healthcare access, may also play roles.
What the evidence does show: a sustained national decline in adult obesity over four years, running concurrently with a dramatic increase in GLP-1 prescriptions — a pattern that public health researchers say is consistent with the drugs' documented clinical efficacy.
MedicalDaily Evidence Check
- Data source: Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index, survey conducted May 28–June 5, 2026; n = 5,065 adults
- Key finding: 11 percent of U.S. adults currently use GLP-1 for weight loss
- Obesity rate: Declined from 39.9 percent (2022) to 36.4 percent (2026) — based on self-reported BMI
- Diabetes diagnosis rate: Stable since 2023 after 15 years of gradual rise
- Important limitation: Self-reported data; compounded GLP-1 versions are not FDA-approved and their clinical equivalence to brand-name drugs is unverified
- Medicare GLP-1 Bridge: Verified by CMS; launched July 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027
Who Faces the Greatest Need for This Coverage
The groups most likely to benefit from the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program include:
- Medicare Part D enrollees ages 65 and older with a body mass index of 35 or higher, or a BMI of 27 or higher combined with a qualifying condition such as cardiovascular disease or prediabetes
- Adults with obesity who were previously unable to afford brand-name GLP-1 medications on fixed retirement incomes
- People who discontinued brand-name GLP-1 treatment due to cost and are eligible to re-enter with the $50 Bridge copay
- Patients managing obesity-related conditions including hypertension, sleep apnea, and prediabetes, who may reduce downstream healthcare costs through weight management
People who already receive GLP-1 coverage through their Part D plan for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or sleep apnea do not qualify for the Bridge program — they continue to access the drugs through their existing coverage.
Important Cautions: Side Effects and Stopping the Drugs
GLP-1 medications are effective but carry significant side effects, particularly during dose escalation. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain. More serious but less common risks include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, and increased heart rate.
There is also a well-documented concern about weight regain. Multiple clinical trials have shown that most patients who stop GLP-1 medications regain a substantial portion of the weight they lost. The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge ends December 31, 2027, and CMS has not yet finalized what comes next — meaning patients who start the medication through this program may need to plan for a potential coverage transition.
Anyone considering a GLP-1 medication should speak with a clinician to determine whether it is appropriate for their individual health situation.
What You Can Do Now
- If you are on Medicare Part D , visit Medicare.gov/glp1bridge to check whether you may qualify for the $50 Bridge program, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
- Talk with your prescribing physician to understand eligibility criteria, prior authorization requirements, and which specific medications are covered under the Bridge.
- If you are taking a compounded GLP-1 , speak with your doctor about whether you qualify for a Bridge-covered brand-name alternative. The FDA has raised concerns about compounded formulations.
- If you are on commercial insurance , contact your insurer or benefits administrator to understand your current GLP-1 coverage, prior authorization rules, and cost-sharing.
- Do not start, stop, or change GLP-1 medications without guidance from a qualified clinician.
Cost and Access: What Patients Should Know
The $50 monthly Bridge copay is fixed and does not increase with higher doses. However, the CMS program operates outside the standard Part D benefit, meaning the $50 does not count toward the Part D deductible or the $2,100 annual out-of-pocket cap for 2026. Patients receiving the Medicare Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy) program cannot apply that subsidy to the $50 Bridge copay.
For people not eligible for Medicare, current out-of-pocket costs for brand-name GLP-1 drugs range from $199 to $699 per month, depending on the medication and dose. Patient assistance programs offered by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly may reduce or eliminate costs for eligible low-income patients. NovoCare and Lilly Cares are the respective programs.
What Happens Next
The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge runs through December 31, 2027. CMS originally planned a longer-term follow-on program called the BALANCE Model for Medicare Part D starting in 2027, but that launch has been delayed. CMS is collecting utilization data from the Bridge program to inform future coverage decisions.
Gallup conducts its National Health and Well-Being Index on a rolling annual basis. The next update tracking GLP-1 usage and obesity trends is expected in mid-2027. MedicalDaily will report on coverage transitions and any new clinical guidance as it becomes available.
The Bottom Line
Forty million Americans taking GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, a meaningful decline in the national obesity rate, stabilizing diabetes diagnoses, and a new Medicare program offering $50 monthly access to Wegovy and Zepbound — 2026 is shaping up as an inflection point for obesity treatment in the United States. The gains are real. But access gaps persist, compounded drug risks remain, the long-term coverage picture beyond 2027 is uncertain, and anyone considering these medications still needs a physician's evaluation before starting. These are powerful drugs with serious side effects and unresolved questions about what happens when patients stop taking them.
