Access conditions emerge in diabetes, blood donation and GLP-1 treatment
Findings on lean people with type 2 diabetes in Africa, barriers faced by Black donors in Canada and access to a daily GLP-1 tablet set out conditions in different routes to care.
Science··Midday
Lean people with type 2 diabetes fall outside the standard pattern
Medical Xpress reported that insufficient insulin production is more prominent among lean people, while insulin resistance is more prominent among heavier people. In wealthy countries, 9 in 10 people with type 2 diabetes are overweight; in Africa, about 4 in 10 have normal or low weight and 6 in 10 in rural Ghana are lean. The report says that about 10 million lean people across Africa fall outside the standard disease pattern. Retinopathy and strokes are more common among lean people, while hypertension and cardiovascular risk are more common among heavier people.[1]
Interviews in Canada list four barriers to donating blood
Medical Xpress reported that 42 Black adults in Canada listed four barriers to blood donation. 57 per cent of those interviewed identified as women. The reported barriers were malaria deferral rules stricter than those in other G7 countries, mistrust of donation systems, historical discrimination and low confidence. Closely matched donor and recipient blood works best for sickle cell transfusions, while insufficient Black donors create treatment gaps. Those interviewed also described negative experiences with healthcare institutions as feeding mistrust.[2]
A daily GLP-1 tablet will be available by private prescription in Britain
Orforglipron, sold as Foundayo, will be available in Britain by private prescription from Monday. The Guardian reported that the United Kingdom became the first country in Europe to make it available after the medicines regulator authorised it earlier this month. The tablet is licensed for people with a body mass index of 30 or above, or between 27 and 30 with at least one weight-related condition; it can also improve blood sugar control in poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. Pharmacists are warning about fake and unlicensed GLP-1 tablets.[3]
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