How Americans feel about GLP-1s
In just the past couple of years, GLP-1s have gone from niche prescription drugs to a mainstream cultural phenomenon.
The latest wave of the Axios/Ipsos American Health Index finds that a growing share of Americans has either recently used the drugs themselves or know someone who has.
But while GLP-1s are increasingly becoming mainstream, there are still major gaps in interest and knowledge about how the drugs work.
Below are five charts on the rise of GLP-1s and where Americans stand on their risks, benefits, and impact.
1. Rapid growth. The proportion of Americans who report having used or knowing someone who has used a GLP-1 in the past three months has consistently risen in Axios/Ipsos polling since 2023.
2. Views of long-term health impacts. While GLP-1 users have largely positive views about the long-term impact of GLP-1s, non-users are largely uncertain about the impact weight loss drugs will have on users in the long-run.
3. Microdosing and other potential benefits. Relatively few Americans report being very familiar with microdosing GLP-1s or with research suggesting the drugs may have benefits beyond weight loss, like reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
4. Impact on obesity. Obesity is widely regarded as a major threat to public health, ranking as the top threat to American public health in the latest wave of the Axios/Ipsos American Health Index. A majority of Americans say they think GLP-1s can have at least some impact on obesity levels in the country. GLP-1 users themselves are even more likely to feel they will have an impact.
5. Why Americans aren’t interested in GLP-1s. In the latest Axios/Ipsos poll, a majority of respondents reported never having taken GLP-1s and having no interest in taking them. Among these Americans, the top reason is a preference to manage weight through traditional methods, as well as concerns over side effects. Cost ranks further down on the list.
Ultimately, GLP-1s aren’t for everybody. But if you ask the users themselves, many feel positively about both the long-term impact of the drugs and the effect the drugs will have on obesity in the nation.
