America's Most Medicated States

America's Most Medicated States
Much of the American South is ailing, with West Virginia the worst off—at least, if the rate of prescription drug use is any indication. The state filled 17.7 prescriptions per capita compared to a national average of 11.5, according to Verispan, a health care information company.

Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky and Missouri also have prescription drug-use rates well above the national average.

source: msn



America's Most Medicated States (Forbes)
10. Iowa
9. Mississippi
8. Louisiana
7. Kentucky
6. Missouri
5. Arkansas
4. Tennessee
3. South Carolina

Retail prescriptions filled per capita: 16.4

Percent of obese/overweight adults: 64.9%
National average: 63%

Heart disease death rate per 100,000: 200.2
National average: 200.2

Prevalence of diabetes: 65.8%
2. Alabama

Retail prescriptions filled per capita: 16.7

Percent of obese/overweight adults: 67.9
National average: 63%

Heart disease death rate per 100,000: 253.3
National average: 200.2

Prevalence of diabetes: 11.2%

1. West Virginia

Retail prescriptions filled per capita: 17.7

Percent of obese/overweight adults: 68.7%
National average: 63%

Heart disease death rate per 100,000: 236.9
National average: 200.2

Prevalence of diabetes: 11.9%
National average: 8.2%