Insured Americans: 51% on Prescription Medication
A recent study by Medco showed that 51 percent of American adults and children are taking one or more prescription drugs for a chronic condition, up from 47% in 2001. Predictions were made for a worst case scenario in the upcoming years as the problems of diabetes, heart disease and obesity are on the rise.
The most widely used drugs are those to lower high blood pressure and cholesterol – problems that are often associated with heart disease, obesity and diabetes. All of these condition can be treated with medical nutrition therapy (MNT).
Experts caution that the increased use of medications may not reflect worsening health care conditions, but possibly more aggressive treatment utilizing pharmaceuticals on the part of the physicians.
Medco examined the records of 2.5 million people from newborns to the elderly during the time period from 2001 – 2007. Key findings include:
Medication use for chronic problems was seen in all demographic groups:
- Almost 2/3 of women 20 and older
- One in four children and teenagers
- 52% of adult men
- Three out of four people 65 or older – many of the seniors were taking 5 or more medications regularly
Antidepressant use jumped among teens and working-age women. The study also highlighted a surge in children’s’ use of medication to treat weight-related problems and other conditions previously classified as adult conditions such as type 2 diabetes, sleeping troubles and gastrointestinal problems.
While pharmaceutical companies push medications, I see more room for nutritional intervention in the area of altered diet and supplements to take care of problems like high cholesterol, hypertension, obesity and diabetes. Many of these interventions are not tried before the pharmaceuticals are prescribed. Also, dietary intervention is indicated in conjunction with many of the prescribed medications. Since we have evidence that medical nutrition therapy (MNT) works, this is just one more indication for including it in the comprehensive assessment and care plan. Too many Americans have the mindset that their problems can be FIXED with a pill. In actuality the pharmaceuticals should be PART, not the WHOLE piece of an intervention plan.
Apparently more study is needed. Are our chronic conditions worsening and is this really the cause of increased prescriptions? Or, as study researchers suggest are doctors treating more aggressively? If they are treating more aggressively, why is diet therapy not being used more frequently? Why are insurance companies failing to reimburse for Medical Nutrition Therapy except in limited cases of diabetes and renal failure?
About the Author
Kathy Shattler received her Master of Science degree from Michigan State University in E. Lansing Michigan in Human Nutrition. Her twenty-two years of practice includes holding positions as a Lecturer, Chief Clinical Dietitian and Program Manager. Kathy is the Founder of Nutri-Care Consulting and is currently the Nutrition Director of www.CEU4U.COM, an online continuing education management company for Registered Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians.
Dr. Incognito responds:
Posted: May 30th, 2008 at 2:28 pm →
You were nominated on for the Scrubby. Congrats!
—Dr. Incognito
Kathy J. Shattler, M.S.,RD responds:
Posted: July 2nd, 2008 at 8:02 am →
Dan,
Thank you for your comments. For the most part I agree. However, for the psychiatric meds I must say that I see that they are of benefit to those who suffer from mental illness. I have stories of people who have gone from hospitalization in a psychiatric ward to living a full and normal life after being treated with zyprexa and then with generic zyprexa. I know people who have attempted suicide but now live full and happy lives on a cocktail of stelazine, risperdol and effexor. I think we are treading muddy waters when saying that psychiatric meds may not be a benefit to those who need them. I have seen the difference that they can make and would hesitate to shortchange their benefit despite the fact that I believe we are taking too many drugs as a nation - especially when many of our problems can be dealt with by lifestyle, diet and exercise changes.