Data reveals money worries have Americans deferring medical care

Evidence is mounting that the current economic climate has led to reductions in health spending (Source: “Consumers Cut Health Spending, As Economic Downturn Takes Toll,” Wall Street Journal, Sept. 23, 2008).

According to data from IMS Health, the number of prescriptions filled in the U.S. in the first quarter fell 0.5 percent and 1.97 percent in the last two quarters, respectively, compared to 2007. It is the first time in a decade that those numbers has fallen.

These findinga follow a survey last month by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners that found that 22 percent of consumers plan to visit the doctor less because of economy-related worries.