GLP-1 Injectable Use Among Adults With Diagnosed Diabetes: United States, 2024.

Abstract

Introduction: This report describes the percentage of adults with diagnosed diabetes who were taking an injectable glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist at the time of interview by selected characteristics, based on data from the 2024 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS).

Methods: Data from the 2024 NHIS were used for this analysis. Survey respondents were assumed to be using a GLP-1 injectable if they had diabetes and reported use of an injectable medication other than insulin to lower blood sugar or lose weight. Point estimates and the corresponding confidence intervals for this analysis were calculated using SAS-callable SUDAAN software to account for the complex sample design of NHIS. Differences between percentages were evaluated using two-sided significance tests at the 0.05 level. Linear and quadratic trends were evaluated using orthogonal polynomials.

Key findings: In 2024, the percentage of adults with diagnosed diabetes who used GLP-1 injectables was 26.5% and increased between those ages 18-34 (25.3%) to 50-64 (33.3%) and then decreased among those age 65 and older (20.8%). Hispanic (31.3%), Black non-Hispanic (26.5%), and White non-Hispanic (26.2%) adults with diagnosed diabetes were more likely than Asian non-Hispanic adults with diagnosed diabetes (12.1%) to use GLP-1 injectables. GLP-1 injectable use was higher among those with greater body mass index. Among adults with diagnosed diabetes, those who took insulin (31.3%) or oral glucose-lowering medications (28.1%) were more likely to use GLP-1 injectables compared with those who did not take those diabetic medications (24.5% and 22.2%, respectively).