GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, have become wildly popular. A recent Gallup poll says 11% of U.S. adults are currently taking a GLP-1 medication to lose weight, up from 3% two years ago.

But at what cost? A new study suggests that the more expensive the drugs become, the more likely patients are to stop using them or use them not as prescribed.

A University of Georgia study analyzed compliance among 8,914 patients who started taking GLP-1s for weight loss and remained continuously enrolled in insurance throughout the 1.5-year study period. The cost of GLP-1s was broken into five segments: $0-$21, $22-$43, $44-$75, $76-$168 and more than $168.

Even at the lowest cost tier, medication discontinuation was high, with three out of four patients stopping their GLP-1 within a year of filling their first prescription. But researchers saw a significant drop-off around the $75 mark. When monthly out-of-pocket costs exceeded this amount, nonadherence rose to more than 80%.

The cost of GLP-1 drugs, which typically must be taken long term or perhaps for life, is a growing concern. Federal programs limit eligible Medicare patients' out-of-pocket spending on GLP-1s to $50, but commercial insurers have not adopted similar price caps. The price of the drugs without insurance can exceed $1,300 per month.

Body of Knowledge

If you could harness the energy of your brain, you could power a 10-watt LED lightbulb, suitable for solar-powered landscape lights and inside refrigerators.

Get Me That, Stat!

According to new national data, American youth (ages 6-19) consumed 13.9% of total calories from protein on a given day in 2021-23. Teens ate slightly more protein than children. Overall, U.S. adults consumed 15.5% of total calories from protein.

Sandwiches, including burgers, and poultry were the top two contributors.

Doc Talk

Cachinnation: A fit of spontaneous, uproarious, unrestrained laughter, often inappropriate or unprovoked. The word stems from the Latin words "cachinnation" and "cachinnationem," associated with "cachinnare," meaning to laugh loudly. It's thought to be an imitative word created to mimic the actual sound of raucous laughter. It shares this imitative root with words like the English "cackle," Sanskrit "kakhati" and Greek "kakhazein."

Mania of the Week

Haphemania: An uncontrollable compulsion to touch objects (a form of OCD)

Life in Big Macs

One hour of massaging someone while standing burns 272 calories (based on a 150-pound person), the equivalent of 0.4 Big Macs — not so much for the recipient.

Best Medicine

I'd like to start a new diet, but I have too much on my plate right now.

Hypochondriac's Guide

In scientific literature, hyperthymesia is better known as highly superior autobiographical memory, or HSAM, which pretty much describes the condition: the ability to accurately recall an abnormally large number of life experiences in vivid detail.

It's very rare, with only about 60 diagnosed cases known. Remembering (almost) everything seems useful, but people with HSAM say the constant, irrepressible stream of memories disrupts ordinary life and is mentally exhausting.

Observation

"A ruffled mind makes a restless pillow." — English novelist and poet Charlotte Bronte (1816-1855), author of "Jane Eyre"

Medical History

This week in 1905, the last victim of Panama Canal-related yellow fever was recorded.

The report on the Panama Canal in the U.S. Congressional Record declared "1906. Yellow fever abolished." The Yellow Fever Commission had successfully controlled mosquitoes and sanitation. Hundreds of workers per year had previously died from yellow fever while building the Panama Canal (especially during the preceding period when the French attempted to build a canal).

In June 1900, Surgeon General George M. Sternberg formed the commission to fight against the cause and spread of the deadly disease. Dr. Walter Reed was appointed officer in charge. He organized the research, identified that infected mosquitoes spread the disease, and took action to save lives.

Medical Myths

Contrary to popular belief, mosquitoes aren't particularly attracted to people who have recently eaten a banana. Conversely, they're not particularly repelled by banana eaters either (another myth).

Mosquitoes find their prey through sight and smell — or, more technically, chemosensation. Females (and only females — males don't bite) first look for targets. Dark colors (black, navy blue, red) are most attractive. Then they zero in on scent or, rather, carbon dioxide produced when you exhale. The higher your metabolic rate, the more CO2 you produce. Larger people and pregnant women also generate higher levels of CO2.

Other chemical attractants also play a role. Lactic acid generated by exercise, acetone (a chemical in your breath) and the hormone estradiol are all released in varying concentrations and may serve as a mosquito call to supper.

Some research suggests that some people's body odor is more attractive to mosquitoes than others', but no one has quite figured out the formula. Some perfumes attract, but others do not. Mosquitoes, it appears, are as finicky as people.

Epitaphs

"This Grave contains all that was mortal, of a Young English Poet, who on his Death Bed, in the Bitterness of his heart, at the Malicious Power of his enemies, desired these words to be Engraven on his Tomb Stone: Here lies One Whose Name was writ in Water." — Engraved on the tombstone of English poet John Keats (1795-1821). Keats desired only the phrase "Here lies one whose name was writ in water." Keats' friends, clearly not editors, added the rest.

To find out more about Scott LaFee and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Photo credit: Joachim Schnürle at Unsplash