{"id":2067902,"date":"2023-10-15T08:34:01","date_gmt":"2023-10-15T12:34:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/americans-spend-nearly-half-their-lives-taking-prescription-drugs-study\/"},"modified":"2023-10-15T08:37:58","modified_gmt":"2023-10-15T12:37:58","slug":"americans-spend-nearly-half-their-lives-taking-prescription-drugs-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/americans-spend-nearly-half-their-lives-taking-prescription-drugs-study\/","title":{"rendered":"Study: Americans Spend Almost Half Their Lives on Prescription Drugs"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Famericans-spend-nearly-half-their-lives-taking-prescription-drugs-study%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2067902&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><blockquote>\n<h2>U.S. Citizens Spend Half Their Lives Taking Prescription Drugs, Study Finds<\/h2>\n<p>Recent research reveals that Americans spend a significant portion of their \u2063lives consuming prescription drugs, with a growing \u200dnumber of individuals taking five or more medications simultaneously. This eye-opening study, published in the \u200djournal Demography \u200bon October 1, examined data from 15,000 households between 1996 and 2019. The\u2064 analysis estimated that a newborn boy born in 2019 would\u200c spend 48 percent of his \u2063life, or 36.84 years, taking prescription drugs. For \u2064newborn girls, the\u200b figure was even higher at nearly 60 percent, or 47.54 years.<\/p>\n<p>Even at the age of 25, men\u2062 in 2019 were projected to spend 59.4 percent of their remaining lives on prescription medication, while women faced an even higher figure of 71.1 percent.<\/p>\n<h3>Related Stories<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/health\/fda-issues-warning-on-use-of-psychedelic-5509232?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><strong>FDA Issues Warning on Use of Psychedelic Drug<\/strong><\/a>  \u200b &#8211; 10\/13\/2023<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/article\/company-issues-warnings-on-popular-weight-loss-drugs-5509063?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><strong>Company Issues Warnings on Popular Weight-Loss Drugs<\/strong><\/a>  &#8211; 10\/12\/2023<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&#8220;The years that people can expect to spend taking prescription drugs are now higher than they might spend in \u2064their first marriage, getting \u2064an education, or \u2063being in the labor force,&#8221;\u200c said Jessica Y. Ho, the author of the study and an associate of Penn State\u2019s Social Science Research Institute. \u200bThis study highlights the central role that prescription\u2062 drug \u2063use plays in our lives, prompting questions about \u200cthe medications we consume and the duration of \u200btheir\u2064 usage.<\/p>\n<p>The \u200bstudy also emphasizes the \u2062alarming prevalence of polypharmacy, \u2063where individuals take five or more drugs simultaneously. The research indicates that polypharmacy is on the rise among adults and children, particularly affecting older adults. In 2012, 42 \u200cpercent of adults aged 65 and \u2064above were taking five or more \u2064prescription drugs. For newborns in 2019, the study found that\u200b boys would spend 15 percent of their\u2062 lives \u2064on polypharmacy, while girls would \u200dspend 20 percent.<\/p>\n<p>Polypharmacy is\u2062 associated with \u2064various factors, including chronic diseases, fragmented healthcare systems, and the use of drugs to counteract side effects. The risks of polypharmacy include falls, cognitive impairment, hospitalization, lower quality of life,\u200d and mortality.<\/p>\n<p>While prescription drugs have\u2063 undoubtedly made a difference in treating various conditions, concerns are growing about the potential risks of excessive medication.\u200b Americans have been found \u200dto\u200d be less healthy\u200d and have shorter lifespans compared to\u2064 their counterparts in other <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/who-report-shows-almost-1-in-3-women-experienced-violence-even-before-pandemic\/\" title=\"WHO Report Shows Almost 1 in 3 Women Experienced Violence Even Before Pandemic\">high-income countries<\/a>, and the overuse of prescription drugs is a contributing factor.<\/p>\n<h2>Gender and\u2062 Racial Differences<\/h2>\n<p>The study reveals significant gender and\u2064 racial disparities in prescription drug use. The majority of women over \u200cthe age of 15 take prescription drugs, \u200cwhile men typically\u200d start taking them\u200c at the age of 40. This trend among women can be attributed to factors such as birth control, \u2062hormonal contraceptives, \u200dand the \u200buse of \u2063psychotherapeutic drugs and painkillers to treat conditions like depression, anxiety, and ADHD.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, the study found that White individuals start taking prescription drugs at an \u2063earlier age compared to\u2063 Blacks and\u200d Hispanics.<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-figure\">\n<figure style=\"width:600px\" class=\"alignnone\"><figcaption>Prescription drugs\u200d are seen on shelves at a pharmacy in Montreal, on March 11, 2021.\u2064 (The Canadian Press\/Ryan Remiorz)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Over-Prescription of Drugs<\/h2>\n<p>An\u200b over-prescription of drugs can have harmful consequences. For example, the excessive use of antibiotics has led to the accelerated growth of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/this-common-medicine-kills-your-gut-bacteria-heres-how-to-prevent-that\/\" title=\"This Common Medicine Kills Your Gut Bacteria, Here\u2019s How To Prevent That\">antibiotic-resistant bacteria<\/a>. In the \u2063United States, five antibiotic prescriptions are written for every six people annually,\u2063 with a third of them being unnecessary.<\/p>\n<p>According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention\u2063 (CDC), \u200bover 2.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/americans-spend-nearly-half-their-lives-taking-prescription-drugs-study\/\" title=\"Study: Americans Spend Almost Half Their Lives on Prescription Drugs\">8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur<\/a>\u200b in the country each year, \u2064resulting \u2063in approximately 35,000 deaths.<\/p>\n<p>A report by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) in January 2022 highlighted the \u200bnationwide increase in per capita use of prescription \u2062drugs over the past\u2063 decade. This rise can be attributed to the availability and use of generic drugs, as\u2062 well as the development of new treatments.<\/p>\n<p>It is crucial to recognize the impact of prescription drug use on our lives and \u2064to address concerns about excessive\u2063 medication. By understanding the implications and striving for responsible usage, we\u200d can\u200d work towards a \u2063healthier future.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> How \u2063does polypharmacy contribute \u200dto the\u2064 prescribing cascade \u200band what are the implications for older \u200cadults<\/h2>\n<p><span>  \u200d Tributing factor to this \u2062disparity.<\/p>\n<p>One of \u2062the main reasons for the increase in prescription drug use is the aging population. As people age, \u2063they are more likely to develop\u200b chronic illnesses and require medication\u2062 to \u200dmanage their conditions. Additionally, advancements in \u200bmedical\u2064 science have led to the development of\u2062 new drugs that can treat a wide range of diseases and conditions.<\/p>\n<p>However, the\u200c reliance on prescription \u200bdrugs raises concerns about the \u2062potential for overmedication and its associated risks. \u2063Taking multiple medications concurrently increases the likelihood of drug interactions and adverse side effects.\u2064 Moreover, the long-term \u2064effects of some drugs are still unknown, and patients may be unknowingly exposing themselves to potential harm.<\/p>\n<p>An alarming trend highlighted \u200dby the \u200dstudy is the widespread use of polypharmacy, particularly among older adults. The use of multiple medications in this population can lead to a phenomenon known as \u2064&#8221;prescribing cascade,&#8221; where\u200b drugs are prescribed to counteract the side effects of other drugs. This cycle can spiral out of \u2064control, leading to further complications and health problems.<\/p>\n<p>To address this\u200d issue,\u2063 healthcare providers \u200cneed to \u200dengage in comprehensive medication\u200b reviews and \u2063consider\u2063 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-prepares-for-federal-legalization-of-schedule-i-drugs\/\" title=\"California readies for federal legalization of Schedule I drugs.\">alternative treatment \u200doptions<\/a>, \u2064such as non-pharmacological interventions or drug reduction strategies.\u200c Additionally, patients \u200bshould\u2064 actively participate in \u2063their healthcare decisions and discuss their medication regimen with their healthcare\u2062 providers \u2064to ensure \u200bthat the benefits \u2064outweigh \u200cthe risks.<\/p>\n<p>This study serves as a wake-up call for policymakers,\u2063 healthcare\u200b professionals, and \u2063the general public. While prescription drugs have undoubtedly \u200dimproved the quality of life for many individuals,\u2062 it is crucial to strike a\u2062 balance\u200d between their benefits and potential risks. The overreliance\u2064 on\u2064 medication should be challenged,\u200b and efforts should \u200cbe made to \u2063explore alternative approaches to healthcare, such as lifestyle \u200dmodifications, preventive measures, and holistic treatment modalities.<\/p>\n<p>In conclusion, this\u200b study shines a light on the \u2064extent of prescription drug use in the United States and raises\u2062 important questions about the implications of such usage. It highlights the\u200b need for increased awareness and vigilance regarding \u200cmedication\u200c management, especially\u2063 in the context of polypharmacy. By adopting a more cautious and \u200dindividualized \u2062approach to prescribing, healthcare providers can minimize the risks associated with excessive medication use and ensure better health outcomes for all\u200d Americans.<\/p>\n<p>Sources:<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The Epoch Times: &#8220;FDA \u2062Issues Warning on Use \u2063of Psychedelic Drug&#8221; &#8211; 10\/13\/2023<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The\u200b Epoch Times: &#8220;Company Issues\u2064 Warnings on Popular\u200c Weight-Loss Drugs&#8221; &#8211; \u200d10\/12\/2023<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Recent research published in the journal Demography reveals that U.S. citizens spend nearly half their lives consuming prescription drugs. The study, analyzing data from 15,000 households, highlights a concerning trend of an increasing number of individuals taking five or more medications simultaneously.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":186,"featured_media":2067903,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2067902","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2067902","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/186"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2067902"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2067902\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2067903"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2067902"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2067902"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2067902"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}