For the first time in history, more than half of all insured Americans are taking prescription medicines regularly for chronic health problems. In 2007, 51 percent of American children and adults were taking one or more prescription drugs for a chronic condition, up from 50 percent the previous four years and 47 percent in 2001. The most widely used drugs are those to lower high blood pressure and cholesterol.
Experts say the data reflect not just worsening public health, but also factors such as more aggressive treatment by doctors and the pharmaceutical industry's relentless advertising.
With those factors unlikely to change, the proportion of Americans on chronic medications is likely to grow rather than shrink in coming years.
Americans buy much more medicine per person than any other country.