Where you live affects many elements of your daily life, like how often you walk to your destination as opposed to drive. Based on a new study by Kaiser Family Foundation, which side of the Mason-Dixon line you live on could affect how medicated you are.
According to numbers compiled by the Kaiser Family Foundation the top ten medicated states, based on the number of retail prescriptions filled per capita annually, were in the South. Many states were considerably higher than the national average of 11.1 prescriptions filled annually. Here are the top 10 medicated states.
Public health experts believe the high prescription drug usage is related to obesity rates, which are also higher in the South. Obesity is a risk factor in many chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
To see the least medicated states, read more.
To see how all 50 states and the District of Columbia fare, check out State Health Facts. Were you surprised where your state ranked? Tell me in the comments section below.
Taschen
Lyie Van Rycke
Alexander Wang
I was surprised Florida was so close to the middle. I thought that being a retirement destination it would have been closer to the top. Maybe its because the snowbirds only spend half the year here so the total prescription fills are less than in states with more constant populations.
1woot! number 7! NEW ORLEANS,LOUISIANA!!
2I don't know if this has anything to do it but both WV and TN are big coal mining states. Do you think that has anything to do with it?
3#5 Kentucky! There are so many fat people here, it's disgusting, so they're probably taking a lot of prescriptions. Plus all the hipsters I know who have prescriptions for adderall and xanax probably up KY in the rankings. Ugh.
4heeyyy Texas didn't make it! yeehawww
5Wisconsin was #20. I'm surprised it's not higher, considering how many obese people we have here. My husband looked at the list and figured Iowa is so high up there because everyone there must be on Prozac, lol.
6Dude, Missouri is NOT the South. It's definitely the Midwest.
7And Iowa ESPECIALLY isn't!
8I live in WV. It is the most medicated state because a lot of people are addicted to prescription drugs. My coworker has been in desperate need of pain meds for 5 years (car wreck, back problems) and is just now seeing a doctor who will actually prescribe them to her. They think that because she is young that she is just some drug addict looking for another fix. It's very sad. There's a methadone clinic in town that is suppose to help people fight their addictions, but they just become addicted to methadone. Also, obesity and diabetes is a big problem here. Hell, I need some anxiety meds just for living here.
9I think it's funny that California is #50. Probably because all the celebs get their Adderall and cocaine from less-than-reputable sources.
10Spectra, I agree. Pretty much half of all citizens here (California) are on medication for genuine health reasons or for recreational reasons. I'm shocked the number is so low!
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