Study: Over half of Americans on chronic medicines

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AP/Yahoo News, May 14, 2008

More than half of all insured Americans are taking prescription medicines regularly for chronic health problems, according to a study by Medco Health Solutions Inc. The most widely used drugs are those to lower high blood pressure and cholesterol, and doctors say the proportion of Americans on chronic medications can only grow. The data reflect not just worsening public health but better medicines for chronic conditions and more aggressive treatment by doctors, experts say.

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