Prescription Drug Use Widespread in the U.S.

Prescription Drug Use Widespread in the U.S.
January 13, 2006

Research Summary

Large numbers of Americans are either current or recent users of prescription drugs, Reuters reported Jan. 12.

The National Center for Health Statistics released a "snapshot" survey showing that about half of U.S. women and 40 percent of men are recent or current prescription-drug users. The use rate was 54 percent among white, non-Hispanic women, 42 percent among white, non-Hispanic men, 44 percent among black women, and 35 percent among black men.

Among Mexican-Americans, 38 percent of women and 26 percent of men reported using prescription drugs.

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