Does it seem like the lines at the pharmacy are getting longer? Well, it’s not your imagination! In a new nationwide study, it was revealed that more than half of all insured Americans are taking prescription medicines regularly for chronic health problems.

According to the findings, the percentage of those taking prescription drugs with health insurance is steadily creeping up, from 47% in 2001 to 2007’s 51%. And as yet another sign of the nation’s growing issue with obesity and its related conditions, the leading drugs prescribed were those for high blood pressure and cholesterol. “It’s a sobering statistic and one I think should make us all take account of just what we’re doing,” said Dr. Tom Rosenthal, professor and chairman of the University at Buffalo’s Department of Family Medicine.

The study was conducted by Medco Health Solutions, the company responsible for managing prescription benefits for about one in five Americans. They analyzed a small part of over 2.5 million customers’ prescription records from 2001-2007, which included age groups ranging from newborns to the elderly.

Understanding the Research Findings

The study’s findings are both good and bad. On the one hand, patients are receiving more aggressive and better
treatment and diagnoses by doctors, as well as improved medications. On the other hand, many Americans have been shown to have unhealthy lifestyles. “I don’t think there’s any one answer. [Americans] have huge lifestyles issues with fast food and dietary concerns and lack of physical exercise. A large part of it is that,” states Dr. Irene S. Snow, an internal medicine practitioner with the Buffalo Medical Group.

Many physicians and medical experts believe that the last 20 years have seen a new wave of development of prescription drugs, which have helped people lead a better quality of life and live longer. The increase in medication use may also be due to the more accurate diagnoses patients receive. And, more patients are being diagnosed with chronic diseases, especially high blood pressure and cholesterol. These conditions are being more aggressively treated now than in years past. Physicians now have a better understanding of the long-term effects of some of these diseases, as well.

Unfortunately, it’s not too surprising to learn that Americans are now less physically active than in the past. In addition to adult obesity, both childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes, previously considered to be an adults-only condition, are being diagnosed in more and more young people.

But there is good news! Medical professionals estimate that up to 70% of chronic diseases could be avoided if America’s population changes their behaviors regarding diet, nutrition, exercise, and stress management. And even if someone does develop a chronic condition, it’s been shown that making significant behavioral changes may reduce – or even eliminate – the need for medications.

“The caveat is that exercise is the most underwritten prescription today,” says Dr. Snow. “If you can engage in behavior modification and lifestyle modification, it may not completely eradicate [a chronic condition], but the patient may need to use less medication, and maybe a patient can get off those meds completely.” “It’s never too late,” adds Thomas Haney, wellness administrator at Independent Health. “The human body is an amazingly adaptable organism. It’s outstanding in the way it can alter biochemistry.”