[PurpleMyst]

http://www.forbes.com/2008/07/23/mos...?feed=rss_news

Interesting, West Virginia is the most medicated state in the country.

[PiPhi2004]

I am a fellow WV'er (Currently reside in NC but I will always be a mountaineer at heart) and this doesn't suprise me one bit. With obesity and the high age of most residents in WV, this seems pretty right on. Same with the other states. Also, access to care is poor in WV, so when patients FINALLY come in for treatment they are pretty bad off. Also, jobs in WV aren't cushy business jobs, most people in WV work in factories or shovel coal for a living. Therefore, many people are on meds for chronic pain by the time they are 40ish. Lung diseases are also very common due to the high smoking rate and the large coal miner population. Good article!

[beachgirl17]

PiPhi, I am a fellow West Virginian, too, although I am living in SC now. Anyway, I totally agree with your points on obesity, advancing age, hard working jobs, and lack of access to care. Still love WV and miss those hills.

[luckylucyrn]

Not shocked to see Tennesse on the list!

[oramar]

I am suprised Pennsylvania is NOT there. Our average age here is like 79. LOL I am sixty and I am one of the younger people in my neighborhood.

[WVlpn2b]

I'm a West Virginian, born and reared, and this doesn't surprise me in the least. There is no better place on earth, imho, so it really is a shame...

[scribblerpnp]

I am in WV too! And earlier posts are correct. No big suprise for us in the state. High rates of obesity, smoking, and unhealthy living habits. All result in lots of chronic illness that needs meds.

[HM2Viking]

Some of this has to do with aging populations but it also shows what single payer advocates have said for years. Lack of access to affordable health care drives up costs for everyone. These states (with the exception of Iowa) have some of the highest rates of un and underinsurance amongst their populations. I think we need to work on fixing the primary care system.

[country mom]

Alaska, California and Hawaii came in as the LEAST medicated states. Somehow I picture Hawaii and California as having better access to care. But Alaska surprised me. Can anyone provide insight into why these states are the least medicated? Are they really healthier, (as the article seems to imply) or is there limited access so people can't get their meds, or are they just plain healthier than everyone else?

[multicollinearity]

Originally Posted by country mom

Alaska, California and Hawaii came in as the LEAST medicated states. Somehow I picture Hawaii and California as having better access to care. But Alaska surprised me. Can anyone provide insight into why these states are the least medicated? Are they really healthier, (as the article seems to imply) or is there limited access so people can't get their meds, or are they just plain healthier than everyone else?

Alaska is unique in that the population is comprised of more working-age men than any other state. A significant percentage of the population in Alaska is men of working age who are working in Alaska's industries. The population is imbalanced, with far fewer women than the other states.

Men in their 20s - 50s generally don't go see a doc unless they are on death's doorstep.