South Carolina Emerges as Epicentre for GLP-1 Drug Interest in New Analysis
A comprehensive new report has pinpointed where blockbuster weight-loss medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound are generating the most public curiosity across the United States. The analysis, conducted by experts at NiceRx, examined search data for information on GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) medications over the past year and compared it with state-level obesity statistics.
Widespread Adoption and Shifting Health Landscape
Experts estimate that approximately one in eight American adults, equating to around 31 million people, have used a weight-loss injection such as Ozempic at least once. Notably, as many as one in five women over the age of 50 have reportedly turned to these treatments. These drugs function by mimicking the natural gut hormone GLP-1, which slows digestion and helps individuals feel fuller for longer periods, thereby revolutionising approaches to weight management.
This surge in interest coincides with emerging, albeit gradual, signs of a shift in national obesity trends. The latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that 40 percent of US adults were classified as obese between 2021 and 2023. This represents a slight decrease from the 42 percent recorded in the preceding three-year period, suggesting a potential change in the public health landscape.
State-by-State Search Rankings Reveal Surprising Patterns
The NiceRx report ranked states based on searches for GLP-1 medication information per 100,000 residents. The findings revealed that South Carolina led the nation, with an impressive 11,101 searches per 100,000 people. This translates to over 720,000 total searches in the last twelve months alone, meaning roughly one in nine residents in the state sought information online.
According to the latest CDC data, 36 percent of adults in South Carolina are obese, giving it the 12th-highest obesity rate in the country. The state also ranks 10th nationally for physical inactivity, with 26.3 percent of adults reporting sedentary lifestyles.
Alaska and Florida followed closely in the search rankings, with 10,561 and 10,467 searches per 100,000 people, respectively. Their obesity rates stand at 35 percent and 30 percent. Rhode Island and North Carolina completed the top five, with search rates of 10,210 and 10,156 per 100,000. Their adult obesity rates are 32 percent and 34 percent, respectively.
Disconnect Between Search Interest and Obesity Prevalence
Interestingly, the analysis highlighted that states with the highest search volumes for GLP-1 drugs are not automatically those with the most severe obesity problems. For instance, West Virginia, which has held the title of America's most obese state for five consecutive years with a 41 percent adult obesity rate, ranked only seventh for GLP-1 searches (10,105 per 100,000).
Similarly, Mississippi, with the nation's second-highest obesity rate at 40 percent, placed sixth in search interest (10,143 per 100,000). North Dakota, which rounded out the top ten states with 9,960 searches per 100,000, possesses the fourth-highest obesity rate in the rankings. It is crucial to note that the data reflects search behaviour rather than prescription rates, meaning these online inquiries do not directly equate to medication usage.
Potential Drivers Behind South Carolina's High Search Volume
The reasons behind South Carolina's pronounced interest in GLP-1 medications remain unclear, but several compelling factors may be at play. A significant potential driver is the rising rate of diabetes diagnoses in the state. Data from the CDC's US Diabetes Surveillance System shows that as of 2023, 12.6 percent of South Carolinians have been diagnosed with diabetes—a record high and an increase from 11 percent in 2022. This is particularly relevant as GLP-1 drugs were originally approved to treat type 2 diabetes.
Furthermore, South Carolina is experiencing a rapidly aging population. Projections from the state's Department of Aging and the US Census Bureau suggest the population over 65 will double to approximately 2.7 million within the next two decades. Older adults face heightened risks for both diabetes and weight gain due to factors like increased insulin resistance and a natural slowing of metabolism.
In contrast, North Dakota, which ranked tenth for searches, has a slower-growing older population (16 percent over 65 versus South Carolina's 20 percent). Notably, North Dakota made headlines in 2025 by becoming the first state to include GLP-1 medications for weight loss in its Essential Health Benefits program under the Affordable Care Act. This policy change, which mandates insurance coverage, may reduce the necessity for residents to search for information online, as access to the drugs becomes more straightforward through healthcare providers.
The report underscores the complex interplay between public health statistics, demographic shifts, healthcare policy, and public interest in groundbreaking pharmaceutical treatments reshaping America's approach to weight management and metabolic health.
