More than half of Americans using medications for chronic conditions

Medco Health Solutions, Inc. released results from a study on prescription medication use by Americans (Source: "Study: Over half of Americans on chronic medicines," Houston Chronicle, May 14, 2008).  This analysis finds that for the first time ever more than half of American adults and children (51 percent) are regularly taking at least one medication for chronic conditions.

Factors identified that help explain this increased level of prescription medication use include: a growing prevalence of chronic conditions; better medications to treat disease; more agressive treatment for many conditions by doctors; and intensified advertising on medications.

The use of medications occurs across all age groups.  According to the study, 66 percent of women over 20, 25 percent of children, 52 percent of adult working age men, and 75 percent of seniors use medications for chronic conditions.  The biggest increase in medication use was among 20 to 44 year olds, increasing by 20 percent between 2001 and 2007.  Also, in 2007 28 percent of senior women and 22 of senior men take five or more medications regularly.