Despite Māori and Pasifika being at higher risk of obesity and the diseases associated with it, such as heart disease and diabetes, they are far less likely to take Wegovy, or the more costly Mounjaro, according to prescription data from Health NZ and anecdotal reports from doctors. The reasons aren’t just financial but are wrapped up in a lack of knowledge about the drug class known as GLP-1s, perceptions of food shaped by colonialism and poverty, as well as unequal healthcare access.
