Page 31 - GHES-3-3

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Semaglutide for treating T2D and obesity

therapeutic option for patients with both T2D and obesity, insufficient (Patel et al., 2023). Semaglutide is particularly
HTA criteria suggest that its use can lead to improvements effective in suppressing appetite compared to other GLP-
in glycemic control, clinical outcomes, weight loss, life 1RA (Aldawsari et al., 2023), leading to a weight loss of
expectancy, and overall quality of life. These benefits 5% or more within 12 weeks when administered at a full
would have a clearly positive impact on national healthcare therapeutic dose (Smith et al., 2022), primarily due to its
systems, both financially and in terms of public health reduced effect on the intake of fatty foods (Anam et al.,
outcomes. 2022). Given that the risk of cardiovascular disease is 2 –
4 times higher in individuals with T2D, which is the leading
8. Results cause of death among these patients, the use of GLP-1RA
like semaglutide stands out to be a crucial treatment. This
8.1. Comparative clinical findings
treatment not only reduces the risk of cardiovascular events
In 2021, the Semaglutide Treatment Effect for People but also helps alleviate the financial burden of using other
with Obesity (STEP) study demonstrated that treatment medications, positioning subcutaneously administered
with semaglutide resulted in a significant reduction in semaglutide as the preferred choice for managing T2D
body weight and a decreased need for prescription drugs (Xie et al., 2022).
(Kennedy et al., 2023). Approved by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration for the treatment of T2D combined 8.2. Comparative socioeconomical findings
with obesity, semaglutide is administered subcutaneously According to the WHO, health is defined as a state of
once a week at a dose of 2.4 mg (Haddad et al., 2023). physical, mental, and social well-being. As such, the concept
This treatment has been shown to be the most effective of health extends beyond medical factors, encompassing
GLP-1RA agent for weight loss, particularly after at least a wide range of socioeconomic characteristics, including
12 weeks of treatment in overweight individuals with a BMI housing, rural versus urban settings, inequalities,
over 27 kg/m and at least one weight-related comorbidity socioeconomic structure and stratification, education
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(e.g., T2D) or in adults with a BMI of 30 kg/m or higher levels, and occupation. These interacting factors
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(Vosoughi et al., 2021, Anam et al., 2022, American Diabetes collectively shape the definition of this multidimensional
Association Professional Practice Committee, 2025b). issue. Health levels are measured using various indicators
The study recorded an average body weight reduction of such as mortality, morbidity, life expectancy, healthy
approximately 10.09%, (10.54 kg), and a decrease in BMI of life years, and overall quality of life (Mentis, 2022). The
3.71 kg/m . In addition, reduction in waist circumference, influence of economic parameters on health varies, with
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obesity-related complications, epicardial adipose tissue, the level of protection playing a key role. This necessitates
inflammatory markers, lipid levels, and C-reactive protein an investigation into exposure to risk factors, the presence
was also observed in a study by Gao et al., for instance, an of social cohesion (informal welfare), and social protection
average body weight reduction of approximately 10.09%, (formal welfare), with a focus on financial protection.
(10.54 kg), and a decrease in BMI of 3.71 kg/m were Adequate, high-quality, and equitable healthcare is
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recorded with semaglutide use. In addition, reduction essential for ensuring good social health (Chantzaras
in waist circumference, obesity-related complications, & Yfantopoulos, 2018), which is shaped by government
epicardial adipose tissue, inflammatory markers, lipid priorities, collective responsibility for organizing health
levels, and C-reactive protein were also observed in services, and the equitable allocation of health resources
individuals treated with semaglutide (Gao et al., 2022). (Solar & Irwin, 2010).
Furthermore, semaglutide was associated with a reduction In a cost analysis study focused on T2D, semaglutide
in both systolic (−4.89 – −2.68 mmHg) and diastolic blood (1 mg administered once per week) produced better
pressure (MD: −1.59 mmHg, 95% CI −2.37 to −0.86) (Ma economic results per patient annually when compared
et al., 2023), a decreased risk of cardiovascular events (Wu to other GLP1-RA (Alkhatib et al., 2022). Regarding
et al., 2022), and even a neuroprotective effect (Garcia- the financial aspects of the treatments, in Denmark,
Casares et al., 2023). individuals in the highest income quartile were found to
As a result, semaglutide is a complementary treatment have a 20% of higher likelihood of receiving treatment
for adults with a BMI of 30 kg/m or higher or those with with either SGLT-2i or GLP-1RA. In addition, low
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comorbidities and a BMI of at least 27 kg/m , offering a socioeconomic status was associated with an increased risk
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maximum weight loss of up to 12.47 kg when administered of cardiovascular disease, which suggests poorer diabetes
at a 2.4 mg dose (Xie et al., 2022). The therapy also leads to control among those with T2D. The income disparities
an HbA1c reduction of up to 1.5%, making it a preferred also affected the initiation of treatment, adherence to
choice when glycemic control with monotherapy is the recommended dose and frequency, and treatment

Volume 3 Issue 3 (2025) 23 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.8547