drugged nation

In a further indication of the sorry state of American health, it was reported yesterday that over half of insured Americans are on drugs. And we are not referring to the occasional pain killer. These are chronic drugs that are taken for extended periods of time, some for life. Many believe the percentage of drug users will only go up in the coming years.

While some in the medical community were quick to point out how good our drugs for chronic conditions have become, others were not so upbeat. Among the dissenters some pointed out the relentless and extremely effective direct-to-consumer advertising used by pharmaceutical companies. There is little doubt that many are taking medications they don't need. No matter how good these are, none are free of side-effects and not all side-effects are harmless. Given the numbers of drug users there is no doubt that many a premature death is caused by medication.

Apart from all that the real issue here is the declining public health. If over half of the population needs medication to live something is seriously wrong. Perhaps not surprisingly a lot of drug-taking was linked to obesity, diabetes, and heart ailments. All these conditions are negatively impacted by a sedentary life-style, lack of exercise, and over-consumption of food. These are suburban illnesses, brought about and reinforced by an unnatural life-style that some believe is the pinnacle of achievement and success.

It reminds me of the commercials for a smoke-free country. They start out by highlighting all the glamour put forth by tobacco companies. You can be successful, a movie star, the Marlboro man, an adventurer, a socialite. Then the images fade and a very sick person attached to an oxygen tank appears. The message ends by saying this is the true face of smoking. Similarly, we could envision a commercial showing a big suburban mcmansion, two huge SUV's, an oversized lawn, tons of power tools, and other accoutrements of the good life. Now fade to sickly obese inhabitants, huffing and puffing to lift themselves out of the couch reaching for their life-saving drugs.

There were startling findings in the study, such as the fact that two thirds of women over 20 were on medication. These are women in their prime reproductive years. Think of the potential harm that can be done to the unborn once these women get pregnant. Then again, over one quarter of children and teens are on chronic medications as well and three quarters of the elderly. It appears that Americans are drugged from the womb to the grave.

The pharma industry is unrelenting in its search for illnesses that fit their drugs. It is called "label expansion" and it is something that makes many investors drool. The drug industry is not alone however. The medical profession also does its part by bringing more and more conditions within the medical realm. Children are no longer difficult, they suffer from ADHD. People are no longer sleeping less as they get older, they suffer from insomnia. And then there are the ever dropping numbers of acceptable cholesterol levels and blood pressure readings. Without any consideration as to the cause, the zealots are out to drive these numbers into the ground. Already signs are appearing that lowering blood pressure isn't always a smart thing to do. It often leads to premature death. How come you never hear about this in the mainstream media? Here is a hint: there are plenty of medications to lower blood pressure, and these have to be taken for the rest of one's life. The same holds for cholesterol.

Come on America, time to take another pill. Forget about your bicycle. It is too hard in any case.