From Deseret News archives:
Many Americans skimping on medicine
"I have to pretty much be very ill to go to the doctor," said Julie Shelley, a 49-year-old office manager and mother of three from West Milton, Ohio. "I'm probably at the age where I should have a checkup or physical. I'm not going to do it. I am last on the list."
In Lombard, Ill., Donald Hendricks lost his job over the summer at an event-planning company. When two of his six children came down with a fever and sore throat several weeks ago, he could not afford the gas money to drive them to the doctor. He gave them soup and soda instead, and they got better.
"I never felt the crunch like this before," Hendricks said.
In Indianapolis, Raechelle Miles lost her job at an auto parts plant in July, and lost nearly everything else in a tornado. Now her dental fillings are falling out, and she is putting off a visit to the dentist, even though she realizes that may lead to more expensive treatment later on.
The numbers show Americans are increasingly putting their health at risk:
• More and more are postponing needed care, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll released Tuesday. The portion who said they or a family member have put off needed care climbed to 36 percent in the Oct. 8-13 telephone poll, up from 29 percent in April. Almost one-third had skipped a recommended test or treatment, up from 24 percent. In both cases, about one-fifth said their condition got worse as a result.
• The number of prescriptions filled dropped 0.4 percent for the quarter ending in June the first time it hasn't risen, according to IMS Health, which has been tracking such data for 12 years.
• A July survey by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners found that 11 percent of Americans had either reduced the number of prescription medicines they take or cut the dosage by such means as splitting pills in half.
Comments
- Sports on the air 12:00 a.m.
- Talich quarter delivers expressiveness 11:39 p.m.
- War declared on Utah Lake weeds 11:27 p.m.
- Utah universities to get $24 million 11:27 p.m.
- Utah GOP opposes ethics initiative 11:27 p.m.
- Utah County balances budget 11:26 p.m.
- State prepared for emergency 11:23 p.m.
- USU to add pre-engineering 11:13 p.m.
- S.R. 193 project to get $27 million 11:13 p.m.
- Commercials to promote Utah 11:12 p.m.
- Real Champions
- Bronco, Kyle rubber match
- Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
- RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
- BYU's Lamb, Jorgensen reprimanded
- Plenty on line for rivalry game
- Time for big matchups in WAC, MWC
- BCS at-large bids up for grabs
- Hall, Johnson matchup key
- Is talking about religion taboo?
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
212 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
195 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - BYU records with win
132 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
132 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
130 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
109 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
103 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
99
And this surprises someone? It's too easy in Utah to deceive the masses....
I grew up in SLC and have always been a huge BYU fan. Honestly I can say most...
These are not essential government programs needed to ensure our national...
Much of the arrests that are made are people that are not placing others at...
I have been a huge Wasatch fan over the last couple years but I have to put...
This is about 2009, not leap year. The thing about NCAAF is that unlike the...
It would be great to see Donny win! As has ben stated, his style, grace and...
What kind of music did he do?
Not mistakes. True he abused more than one child. But what it sounds like...
4A polls are missing two of the top teams! Missing Timpanogas and Woods...



You can be the first to comment on this story.