When Selfies Stop Selfing: My Journey to Ozempic & Beyond

Let’s talk selfies. For me, they were my reality check. Full-body shots? Forget it. Every milestone photo with my family got run through every beautification filter the App Store could throw at me, but nothing could match the image I wanted to see staring back. That’s when I knew – it was time for a change.

As a healthcare PR pro, I knew the drill: diet, exercise, rinse, repeat. What I didn’t see coming was menopause. It’s the ultimate plot twist: exhausting, demotivating, and downright rude. (Can I get an amen?)

Then one day, I was chatting with a colleague who casually dropped the word “Ozempic” into our conversation. Friends, let me tell you, by the time I got home, my fingers were sprinting across my keyboard like I was hunting for Black Friday deals. An online doctor later (because no way was I talking to my GP about this), I had a prescription in hand.

Now, full disclosure: the price tag was … a moment. But after some budget reshuffling (goodbye, overpriced dinners and impulse HSN buys), I was ready to commit. Four months and 30 pounds later, I was screaming YASS from the rooftops. Life = changed. Selfies are back.

But then the reality hit: Not everyone has discretionary spending to shuffle around. What about those who don’t?

Breaking Barriers: GLP-1 Agonists as a Game-Changer

Here’s the thing: Ozempic and other GLP-1 agonists aren’t just weight-loss buzzwords – they’re a legit breakthrough for people battling obesity. Originally developed to manage Type 2 diabetes, these meds work by taming your appetite and making your body feel full longer (kind of like that one friend who says, “Are you sure you need another plate?”).

And let’s get real – obesity isn’t just about the number on a scale. It’s tied to diabetes, heart disease, and more, especially in the Black community, where over 40% of adults face this challenge. Tackling it requires more than a prescription. It means breaking down systemic barriers and biases that make access to solutions harder for marginalized groups.

The Problem: Cost and Cultural Barriers

If these drugs are life-changing, why isn’t everyone using them? Oh right – money. At $1,000+ a month, these treatments are out of reach for many, especially for those who are uninsured or underinsured. And let’s not forget the healthcare system itself, which often fails Black patients through implicit bias and a lack of culturally competent care.

Add in food deserts, economic disparities, and cultural stigma around seeking medical help, and you’ve got the perfect storm. It’s not just unfair—it’s downright exhausting.

The Solution: Making Change Happen

So, what can we do? A lot, actually. There’s more to it than selfies. Here are a few ideas:

Advocate for Policy Changes: Push for insurance coverage of obesity treatments like GLP-1 agonists. Medicaid expansion could be a game-changer here.

Partner with Communities: Work with community health organizations and community leaders to raise awareness and reduce stigma around obesity treatment. The power of a trusted voice can’t be overstated.

Train Healthcare Providers: Doctors need to get real about their biases and learn how to provide care that respects patients’ cultural and social contexts. (Yes, this is the bare minimum, but here we are.)

Why It Matters

These drugs could transform lives—but only if the people who need them can actually get them. We need to break down the walls of systemic inequity and make health solutions accessible to everyone. It’s not just about weight loss – it’s about giving people the chance to live healthier, fuller lives.

So let’s do it. For all the selfies, milestones, and family memories that deserves to be celebrated without filters. For a healthier, brighter future for the Black community – and everyone else.

Photograph: Aleisia Gibson Wright, Founder of GW Health Public Relations

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January 10, 2025