By Anahad O'Connor
The New York Times - Well Column
Originally published April 15, 2013
Doctors in the United States routinely prescribe potentially harmful drugs to older patients, and the problem is particularly acute in the South, a new study shows.
The analysis found that more than one in five seniors on Medicare in the South were prescribed medications that health authorities have specifically advised doctors to avoid giving to older patients because of their severe side effects. Compared with people 65 and older living in New England, those living in the southern region from Texas to South Carolina were about 12 percent more likely to be prescribed a high-risk medication.
The researchers suspected that factors like education, socioeconomic status and access to quality medical care might be driving some of the regional differences. And to some extent, that appeared to be the case. As socioeconomic status grew lower, for example, the likelihood of being prescribed a high-risk drug increased. But even after accounting for these factors, the researchers found that the disparity persisted.
The entire story is here.
