There are numerous unanswered questions about GLP-1 medications, including their side effects, effectiveness over time, and their impact on health inequities among different patient groups. In response to these uncertainties, OMNY Health has initiated a new data network aimed at enriching understanding and enhancing the application of these drugs in diverse patient populations.
OMNY Health, a national data ecosystem that supports biotech and medical research, has launched this network to systematically collect and analyze a vast range of data related to GLP-1s. The CEO of OMNY, Mitesh Rao, emphasizes the importance of this endeavor by noting that GLP-1 medications have systemic effects on the body. Access to diverse and comprehensive data allows clinicians to develop more equitable treatment plans and enables researchers to grasp how these medications influence broader health outcomes.
The newly established network incorporates EHR data from over 645,000 patients, spanning diverse demographics such as age, race, ethnicity, region, as well as the type of care providers and payers. This broad representation helps in making the data more reflective of the general population, thereby enhancing the reliability of research outcomes derived from it.
One of the primary objectives of the GLP-1 data network is to inform clinical trials involving diverse populations. By doing so, it aids clinicians in making more informed decisions about incorporating these medications into treatment regimens for their patients.
OMNY has already utilized this network to conduct two significant studies in collaboration with life sciences partners. The first study focused on the pediatric use of GLP-1s, a new area as the FDA only approved these drugs for children in December 2022. This research revealed that the median age of pediatric GLP-1 users was 16 years, and a significant majority, 72%, were female.
The second study delved into the impact of social determinants of health on GLP-1 users. It discovered that patients on these medications were half as likely to have economic burdens recorded in their EHR compared to non-users. This information is crucial as it shows how socio-economic factors might influence the adoption and outcomes of GLP-1 treatment.
By providing timely and comprehensive insights into patient navigation of GLP-1 medications, the data network aims to help clinicians optimize care plans and outcomes. It also strives to extend the understanding of the impact of these medications well beyond just weight loss, by digging deeper into how social determinants affect health outcomes.
The importance of this data network is underscored by the growing demand for GLP-1s, highlighted by a KFF Health Tracking Poll which indicated that 12% of U.S. adults have used a GLP-1 drug. As the usage of these drugs expands, the need for robust and extensive data on how they are used and their effects becomes more critical than ever. This initiative by OMNY Health is stepping stone towards meeting this requirement, facilitating more informed and equitable healthcare decisions and promoting a better understanding of the overall impact of GLP-1 medications on health.
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