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Annual report: Half of Americans take at least one prescription

Physician Practice Advisor, December 13, 2004

Nearly half of all Americans take at least one prescription medicine; one in six take three or more medications, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' report, Health, United States 2004.

The latest report shows continued improvements in Americans' health, with life expectancy at birth up to 77.3 years in 2002, a record, and deaths from heart disease, cancer and stroke-the nation's three leading killers-all down 1%-3%.

Prescription drug use is rising among people of all ages, and use increases with age. Five out of six people 65 and older take at least one medication and almost half the elderly take three or more.

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