A recent study from Medco Health Solutions Inc. reveals alarming statistics on the number of chronic medications being used in America.  Over half of all insured Americans are taking prescription medications for chronic conditions, representing a 4 percent increase since 2001 and suggesting Americans buy more prescription medicine than any other country. 

This increase is seen among all demographic groups however individuals between 20 and 44 years of age have shown the highest increase while utilizing prescription drugs for depression, diabetes, asthma, attention-deficit disorder and seizures.  Children's use of medicines to treat illnesses that were once considered adult problems, including weight-related issues, has also shown a sudden increase.

Unfortunately with the worsening public health and pharmaceutical industry's advertising these numbers are only expected to grow.  A representative of NJ-based Medco reported that the increase is largely due to obesity and that "...it's a lot easier to pop a pill than to exercise regularly or diet."  With body weights on the rise in adolescent children, problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol are also expected to become more prevalent in adults in the near future.

In a more positive light, some of the increase is due to more aggressive approaches from doctors.  With the advancement from pharmaceutical research some fatal diseases, including AIDS and some cancers, have been turned into chronic ones.

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