Anti-obesity Medication Prescribing Patterns Before and After the Introduction of Medicaid Anti-obesity Medication Coverage

This project is funded under the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s research program, “Health Data for Action (HD4A),” which makes valuable data from unique data owners available to researchers to answer important research questions. The goal of the study is to assess the association of Medicaid anti-obesity medications (AOM) coverage with AOM prescribing patterns among Medicaid enrollees, with a focus on potential disparities by race and ethnicity. Using HealthShare Exchange data, the study seeks to investigate the potential changes in prescribing rates among Medicaid enrollees in Pennsylvania and Delaware, where AOMs are covered by Medicaid as of 2023, in comparison to prescribing patterns in New Jersey, where AOMs are not covered. Researchers aim to help policymakers consider the potential effect of other states implementing AOM coverage on AOM prescribing, and inform supplementary efforts needed to ensure equitable increased access to AOMs. Deliverables will include a project work plan and final narrative report. The researchers will also produce paper(s) suitable for publication and present findings at national research meetings and to other stakeholder audiences as appropriate, including policymakers at the federal, state, and local levels and other key stakeholders, as part of the deliverables for this grant. 

Grant #81865 
Grantee Organization: Temple University 
Grantee period: 06/15/24 – 12/14/25

Principal Investigator: 

Researcher

Leah Schumacher, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor - Temple University

Leah Schumacher, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the College of Public Health at Temple University. Read Bio