have the highest level of awareness (79%). In contrast, far fewer of the Optimists (55%) say they are aware of them. This lower level of awareness is not surprising because Optimists try to avoid using drugs.
No doubt the Faithful Patients high level awareness of these drugs is propelled by the fact that among our Health segments this segment has the highest level of obesity (42%). In addition, far more Faithful Patients have seen a doctor for diabetes (25%) as compared, for example, to the Disillusioned (13%), another Health segment.
With the highest rates of diabetes and obesity those 40 and older, and particularly Faithful Patients, are the natural market for GLP-1 agonists. These drugs have achieved a market penetration rate among the 40 and older population of 6% according to data from our January 2024 study.
While 7% of the Faithful Patients have tried one of these drugs, only 3% of the Disillusioned have done so. Hampered by low incomes and insufficient insurance, more Disillusioned would be able to use Wegovy or Ozempic if Congress passed the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act covering these pharmaceuticals through Medicare. Doing so would increase the percentage of those 65 and older taking a GLP-1 agonist dramatically but at a monumental expense.