Between 1999 and 2014, antidepressant use by Americans increased by 65%. By 2014, 1 in 8 Americans (12.7%) 12 and over reported using an antidepressant recently. In 1999, only 7.7% did, according to a new report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Results also showed that women are twice as likely to take an antidepressant than men. Between 2011 and 2014, 24.4% of women had taken an antidepressant in the last month compared to 12.6% of men. Whites were more likely to use antidepressants than any other racial or ethnic group, with 16.5% of them admitting to doing so in the last month. That compares to 5.6% of blacks, 5% of Hispanics and 3.3% of Asians. Researchers also found that most people are using antidepressants over a long period of time. For example, 25% of people surveyed reported taking an antidepressant for 10 years or more, and 68% were taking one for 2 years or more. The findings are based on responses from a national health survey of more than 14,000 people conducted between 2011 and 2014, which were compared to responses from the same survey done in 1999. Posted August 16, 2017. Via NCHS.
The long list of risks mentioned in TV prescription drug ads may be whittled down to only covering the most severe risks and side effects. The FDA says research it has conducted found that “a more targeted presentation of risks” presented in direct-to-consumer (DTC) ads can lead consumers to remember more of the most relevant risks and side effects rather than overwhelming them with every single one. The agency noted that it wants to ensure consumers who are viewing these ads are walking away “properly informed” of the key benefits and risks associated with an advertised medication. The FDA is exploring the possibility that DTC ads will include only the most severe (life-threatening) side effects, along with a note that there are other risks not included in the advertisement. The FDA is also asking for comments from the public. “To inform our policies on how risks should be disclosed, we’re asking consumers, providers and other members of the public to help us better understand what risk information is most useful in TV and other broadcast ads,” FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said in a statement. Posted August 18, 2017. Via FDA.
Regular marijuana use may more than triple the risk of dying from hypertension (high blood pressure). In addition, the risk increases with each year of smoking cannabis. Researchers from Georgia State University analyzed data from 1,213 people aged 20 and older who had been involved in an ongoing National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The information collected on marijuana use among the group was merged with mortality data from the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics in 2011. Researchers found that marijuana users had a 3.4 times higher risk of death from hypertension than non-users. Posted August 8, 2017. Via European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
