Prevalence of Obesity Medications in the Military Health System: An Update from 2022

Obesity medication utilization in the MHS increased modestly since 2018 but remains low relative to disease prevalence, particularly among active-duty and minority beneficiaries. Recent TRICARE coverage changes may further shape access and prescribing patterns, though their downstream effects on health outcomes, readiness, and costs remain uncertain. These findings highlight ongoing knowledge gaps regarding the optimal, sustainable use of OM in the MHS and underscore the need for MHS-specific effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness data to inform evidence-based, readiness-aligned obesity care strategies.