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Newsweek
4 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Weight Loss Drugs Like Ozempic Could Have Additional Health Benefit
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Could diabetes and weight loss drugs like Ozempic (semaglutide) also protect the brain from stroke damage—or even help prevent strokes entirely? Three new studies suggest they might, with the potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists—such as Ozempic—extending beyond just blood sugar regulation and weight loss. According to a May 2024 KFF Health Tracking Poll, approximately one in eight U.S. adults (12 percent) report having used a GLP-1 agonist. Usage rates are notably higher among individuals with chronic health conditions: 43 percent of adults with diabetes, 25 percent with heart disease, and 22 percent of those who have been diagnosed as overweight or obese in the past five years have taken one of these medication. Now, emerging research suggests they may also offer significant neurological benefits. A stock image of woman injecting a Semaglutide Pen in her stomach. A stock image of woman injecting a Semaglutide Pen in her stomach. JNemchinova/iStock / Getty Images Plus Lower Stroke Mortality in Ozempic Users The first study, led by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, analyzed stroke outcomes among patients taking Ozempic. The team compared data from two large sources: the University of Wisconsin's health system and a global health collaborative. Among more than two million stroke patients from the global dataset, those on Ozempic were found to have a dramatically lower initial death rate—just 5.26 percent compared to 21.61 percent for non-users. Long-term survival rates also favored Ozempic users, with a 77.5 percent survival rate versus 30.95 percent for those not on the drug. The university's own data mirrored this trend: stroke mortality among Ozempic users was less than 5 percent, compared to more than 26 percent in non-users. Could Ozempic Reduce the Risk of Stroke? A second study, also from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, looked at whether Ozempic could lower the chance of experiencing a stroke in the first place. Researchers analyzed emergency department records nationwide, identifying individuals likely using Ozempic and comparing their stroke incidence rates. The study found that potential Ozempic users had significantly lower odds of suffering a stroke. The research team now hopes to confirm these findings using pharmacy records, which would more precisely track who is prescribed the drug. Brain Bleed Protection and Cognitive Benefits The final study, conducted by the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, extended the investigation to brain hemorrhages—both spontaneous bleeds and those caused by aneurysms. The researchers examined the health record of patients who had experienced a stroke or hemorrhage for up to two years after the event in question. Their analysis indicated that GLP-1 agonists were associated with reduced risks of cognitive decline, seizures, repeat hemorrhages and death. "This research could introduce a new perspective to the discussion of preventing and mitigating the devastating effects of stroke and related brain injuries," paper author and neurosurgeon Dr. Matias Costa said in a statement. A Promising Frontier for GLP-1 Drugs Dr. Ahmed Elbayomy, a research fellow in neurological surgery at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and lead author on two of the studies said in a statement: "More research is certainly needed, but seeing the potential protection offered by these medications is a fascinating finding." As use of semaglutide-based drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy continues to expand, the possibility that they might also protect the brain could usher in a new era of neurological prevention—offering more than just metabolic benefits. Do you have a tip on a health story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about GLP-1 agonists? Let us know via health@
Business Journals
01-07-2025
- Health
- Business Journals
The GLP-1 weight loss debate: Pharmacy benefit leaders weigh in on difficult coverage decisions
Employers are grappling with the ripple effect of an increasingly popular weight loss treatment. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are a favored treatment for type-2 diabetes but have also become incredibly popular for treating obesity. One in eight U.S. adults have taken GLP-1 medication, according to a KFF Health Tracking Poll, with one in three saying they've heard a lot about them. Usage is growing so fast Goldman Sachs estimates the drugs could push the global market for anti-obesity medications to $100 billion in annual sales by 2030. The challenge for employers is the cost. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, GLP-1s have an average annual list price of $12,000. Because patients tend to regain weight when they discontinue treatment, the cost of coverage is high. 'GLP-1s are a topic that comes up in almost every client meeting,' said Shanda Harclerode, a pharmacist and pharmacy consultant for Holmes Murphy's employee benefits group. 'Across the board, we're seeing it in the top three drugs in terms of plan spend.' Among Holmes Murphy's employee benefits clients, spending on GLP-1s increased 36% from 2023 to 2024, Harclerode said. The treatments represented 17% of all pharmaceutical spending in 2024 and 4% of medical and pharmacy spending combined. Understanding the market for obesity treatments The appeal for an injectable treatment for obesity is easy to understand, said Nathan Cassin, employee benefits pharmacy director with Holmes Murphy. 'Obesity affects 42% of American adults and that number is rising and these drugs are revolutionary in terms of managing weight,' Cassin said. You have to go back several decades to find new medication releases with this wide of an impact, Cassin said, pointing to Zoloft's approval for mental health conditions in 1991, Lipitor's approval for lowering cholesterol in 1996 and Nexium's approval for reducing stomach acid in 2001. The broad market for obesity treatments has helped spur interest in GLP-1s from many drug manufacturers. There is a robust pipeline of GLP-1 products undergoing clinical trials for obesity treatment and manufacturers are starting to sell the drugs directly to members through telehealth appointments. However, Harclerode said this increased competition will not reduce employers' expenses anytime soon. 'While we may see some of the pricing of the drugs come down as competition increases with new agents coming to market and more competition between the different manufacturers to get their products on the formulary,' she said, 'anticipated increases in utilization are likely going to offset any pricing relief. GLP-1s and similar molecules are currently being studied for a variety of other applications, including Alzheimer's disease, osteoarthritis, and heart failure, significantly expanding their potential use going forward.' Employee benefit strategies for employers Employers are left with difficult choices. Harclerode recommends business leaders start by assessing how GLP-1s fit the needs of their employees. Ask these questions: What is the prevalence of obesity and related conditions within my population? What can we expect in terms of utilization? How much would that utilization cost? Does that cost fit within our employee benefits budget? What is my employee turnover rate? Given that, will our plan realize the potential future benefits that come with weight loss? How important is offering this coverage to our talent attraction and retention efforts? Employers that decide to offer GLP-1 coverage should make sure to design their program in a way that maximizes its effectiveness, Harclerode said. Some clients require people to participate in wellness programs — such as working with a health coach or dietitian — to be eligible for GLP-1 therapies. 'Since these drugs require long-term use for sustained benefits, we want to ensure that if a member stops their GLP-1 therapy, the appropriate behavioral changes have been adopted to maintain the weight loss that was achieved while on the medication,' she said. Because of their popularity, businesses that opt not to cover GLP-1s may want to be transparent with employees about why and what they're doing to support weight loss instead, Harclerode said. They won't be alone. In a 2024 Business Group on Health survey, 67% of large employers reported covering GLP-1s, while only 28% of Holmes Murphy's clients — including many businesses with less than 10,000 people — provide the coverage. 'I don't think there's a one-size-fits-all approach,' Harclerode said. Are you getting the most out of your employer-sponsored pharmacy benefits? From pricing terms and contracts to understanding clinical programs, Holmes Murphy can help. As one of the largest independent insurance brokerages in the nation, Holmes Murphy believes fully in serving the unique risk and benefits challenges of clients in every industry and of almost every size. For more information, visit or follow the company on X (@holmesmurphyins), Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram.
The Herald Scotland
21-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Trump approval rating tanks as Americans oppose GOP agenda
It's summer now, and the report card has arrived. Americans give Trump a failing grade on the budget, trade and immigration. That's tough to swallow for a politician who gauges everything on public perception. Trump, being Trump, is now pivoting to distractions, touting a military parade that flopped as an expensive boondoggle and then flipping from diplomacy with Iran to potentially ordering air strikes on that country. Take our poll: Should US go to war with Iran or support Israel from afar? | Opinion Americans disapprove of budget bill slashing Medicaid Let's start with Trump's budget, which Republican leaders in Congress call the "one big, beautiful bill" in honor of their continuing deference to whatever he wants and the dereliction of their duty to serve as a coequal branch of our government. The version that narrowly passed the House slashed federal safety net programs to boost tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. Some senators, seeking to make things even better for the rich at the expense of the poor, want bigger cuts to Medicaid, food stamps and other programs. Opinion: Trump lied about the LA protests so you wouldn't see what he's really doing A batch of recent polls shows Americans reject that: A June 11 Quinnipiac University poll found that 53% of American voters oppose the budget bill, while 27% approve it. Nearly half of the voters polled said funding for Medicaid should go up, not down, while 40% said it should stay the same and just 10% wanted it cut. A June 16 Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll found that 50% of Americans think we spend too little on Medicaid, while 31% say we spend enough and just 18% say we spend too much. Forty-five percent of Americans think we should spend more on food and nutrition assistance, while 30% say we spend enough and 24% say we spend too much. A June 17 KFF Health Tracking Poll found that 64% of Americans hold an unfavorable view of Trump's budget bill, while 83% of them hold a favorable view of Medicaid. Republican support for the bill came in strong at 61% at first, but then dropped by 20 points when the Republicans polled heard details about how the legislation would force millions off their health care plans. Polling finds Americans disagree with Trump on immigration, economy, border security This much seems clear: The more Americans learn about Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the more they find it small-minded and ugly. That explains the artificial deadlines. Opinion newsletter: Sign up for our newsletter on people, power and policies in the time of Trump from columnist Chris Brennan. Get it delivered to your inbox. Trump and his Republican allies in Congress want to wrap this up by July 4. But Republican infighting - moderates who fear it goes too far, far-righters who complain it doesn't go far enough - will make for a contentious Congress for at least the next two weeks. While we wait, Trump is seeing his support on immigration - once his strongest issue - melt away in the summer of Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. The Quinnipiac University poll found 54% of the registered voters surveyed opposed his approach to immigration, while 43% approve and 3% had no opinion. Trump campaigned in 2024 on reviving America's economy. But his trade wars, which have hit our country's international allies just as hard or harder than our geopolitical foes, are unpopular. Quinnipiac found that just 38% approve of Trump's trade policy, while 57% disapprove and 6% had no opinion. The AP-NORC poll found that 32% of Americans think we spend too much on border security, while 37% think we spend the right amount and 29% think we spend too little. Trump's approval rating continues to tank. Does it matter? In this time of divisiveness, a majority of Americans can agree on one thing: Trump is disappointing them as president. Just 38% of the votes surveyed by Quinnipiac approve of Trump's job performance, while 54% disapprove. Opinion: Threats against judges nearly doubled under Trump. Republicans blame the victim. That tracks with a Pew Research Center poll released June 17, which found that 41% of those polled approve of Trump's performance while 58% disapprove. Pew noted that Trump has lost ground in his approval rating since he was sworn into office again on Jan. 20. Don't expect Trump to spend too much time worrying about what Americans tell pollsters. He has a long history of touting polls when they hold good news for him and dismissing them when they don't. He also suggested just before the 2024 election that releasing poll results he didn't like "should be illegal." Here's what you can expect: more distractions from Trump as the Republicans fights it out on which version of his budget bill passes or fails in Congress. If they listened to Americans, they would kill the bill and start from scratch. Follow USA TODAY columnist Chris Brennan on X, formerly known as Twitter: @ByChrisBrennan. Sign up for his weekly newsletter, Translating Politics, here.
The Hill
17-06-2025
- Business
- The Hill
64 percent opposed to GOP megabill: Survey
Nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults have an unfavorable opinion of President Trump's agenda-setting 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' that narrowly passed the House last month, a new survey found. The KFF Health Tracking Poll released Tuesday found 64 percent of adults surveyed said, based on what they know about the tax and spending megabill, they do not like it — including the majority of Democrats, independents and Republicans who do not identify with the 'Make America Great Again' (MAGA) wing of the GOP. Just 35 percent of respondents said they view the proposal favorably, with the biggest bloc of support coming from MAGA-backing Republicans, who overwhelmingly approve of the bill at 72 percent. 'The public hasn't had much time to digest what's in the big, beautiful, but almost incomprehensible bill as it races through Congress, and many don't have a lot of information about it,' KFF president Drew Altman said in a statement. 'Our poll shows that views toward the bill and its health-care provisions can shift when presented with more information and arguments about its effects, even among MAGA supporters.' The survey attempted to gauge how much people know about the details of the bill. According to KFF's findings, more than half of people surveyed knew the bill would increase federal spending on border security (58 percent). About half knew it would increase the federal budget deficit (50 percent), decrease federal spending on food assistance for low-income Americans (53 percent) and Medicaid (51 percent). More than a quarter of people surveyed said they 'didn't know' when asked about one of eight specific impacts the proposed legislation would have. Trump has made what he dubbed the 'big, beautiful bill' a centerpiece of his second presidency, pushing GOP lawmakers to roll most of his agenda points into it, but the sweeping legislation has been divisive even among some of the president's staunchest supporters. Trump and Elon Musk had a dramatic falling out earlier this month after the tech billionaire left his role as head of the White House's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and quickly began bashing the proposal as a 'disgusting abomination.' Republican senators are wading through revisions to the House version they want to make before taking a vote on the measure, which Trump wants to have on his desk to sign by July 4. 'We're continuing to have meetings with groups and committees,' Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) told The Hill last week. 'Full speed ahead, a lot of conversations, getting everybody comfortable.' The KFF poll surveyed 1,321 U.S. adults June 4-8. It has margins of error of 3 percentage points for total findings and 6 percentage points on results broken down by party.
USA Today
07-02-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Here are 7 Medicare changes for 2025 that you should know about
Selena Maranjian The Motley Fool Medicare is big business, recently providing healthcare coverage to 68 million people. It changes a little or a lot every year, and millions have strong opinions about it, too: Before the 2024 election, fully 94% of surveyed seniors said it was very or extremely important to protect Medicare, per the Better Medicare Alliance. 65% of people say that Medicare has fully met their expectations, per the Commonwealth Fund 2024 Value of Medicare Survey. 51% say the federal government doesn't spend enough on Medicare (with 46% saying the same about Medicaid), per the KFF Health Tracking Poll. Close to two-thirds (63%) are worried that Medicare won't be around when they need it, per 2024's Nationwide Retirement Institute Health Care Costs in Retirement survey. Given the importance of Medicare, here are some changes for 2025 to know about right now. 1. Premiums and deductibles have risen Premiums and deductibles tend to increase regularly, and 2025 is no exception. The Part A annual deductible for hospital stays rose from $1,632 to $1,676, and the Part B annual deductible for medical insurance (including services from healthcare providers, outpatient care, home healthcare, preventive services and more) jumped from $240 to $257. Fortunately, most retirees don't pay premiums for Part A — but they do pay Part B premiums. The standard Part B monthly premium increased from $174.70 in 2024 to $185 for 2025. Note, though, that if you're a high earner, you might have to pay up to $628.90 per month for Part B coverage. Retiring in 2025:4 things to know about Medicare right now 2. Prescription drug costs have been lowered The Inflation Reduction Act's Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program has lowered prices for dozens of prescription drugs and annual out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs are now capped at $2,000 for those on Medicare who have a Part D drug plan. 3. Say goodbye to the "donut hole" gap in coverage Until recently, there was a dreaded "donut hole" gap in prescription-drug coverage. That was the period after you and your drug insurance plan spent a certain sum on prescriptions — at which point you had to pay until another sum was spent — when your insurance coverage then resumed. Now there's a Medicare drug deductible of $590 for 2025. If you max that out, you'll likely pay just 25% of the cost of your drugs until you hit that $2,000 out-of-pocket cap. After that, Medicare pays. 4. Mental health coverage has expanded Starting in 2025, more mental health providers will be permitted to serve Medicare enrollees. These include addiction counselors, licensed mental health counselors, and marriage and family therapists. 5. Telehealth services have been restricted Telehealth services, such as when your visit with a healthcare provider is conducted electronically, perhaps via your iPad, will be less available in 2025. The new rule is that you must be in a rural medical facility or office to qualify for most telehealth services, with a few exceptions. These are the exceptions, for which you can have a telehealth visit without being in a rural location: Monthly end-stage renal disease visits for home dialysis Services for diagnosis, evaluation or treatment of symptoms of an acute stroke Services to treat a substance use disorder or a co-occurring mental health disorder or for the diagnosis, evaluation or treatment of a mental health disorder Behavioral health services Diabetes self-management training Medical nutrition therapy 6. Caregivers get more help In Medicare's own words, "Medicare covers additional caregiver support, like training that helps your caregiver better care for you ... and relief when they're caring for family members in hospice care. ... Also, some people living with dementia and their caregivers may be able to get more support though a new pilot program." 7. Coverage changes for postal workers Beginning in 2025, eligible U.S. Postal Service workers, retirees and their families will be covered through the Postal Service Health Benefits Program (PSHB) instead of the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHB) — though the PSHB is housed within the FEHB. Those affected or interested can learn more here. Heads up: All of the above might change further Those are some of the main changes to know about for Medicare for 2025, but you should also know that some big changes might be coming soon, as the new administration in Washington seems keen to make them. Already, President Trump has rescinded an executive order from President Biden that was to lower prescription drug costs and speed up the process by which treatments get approved. It's not clear yet exactly what will happen, so stay tuned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. The Motley Fool is a USA TODAY content partner offering financial news, analysis and commentary designed to help people take control of their financial lives. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY. The $ 22,924 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook Offer from the Motley Fool: If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $22,924 more... each year! 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