Healthcare Costs Prevented Nearly 40 Million Americans From Filling Their Prescriptio...( The Internet becomes an increasingly ...),Health

The Internet becomes an increasingly important health resource for consumers curbing their spending on doctor's visits and medications

NEW YORK, Dec. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 40 million U.S. adults decided not to fill a prescription medication from a doctor in the past year because of the cost, according to pharmaceutical and healthcare market research company Manhattan Research's Cybercitizen Health(TM) v8.0 consumer study and strategic advisory service. The study found that women and patients with neurological and mental health conditions were the most likely to give up their medication due to cost.

For those struggling to afford healthcare, online channels have become increasingly important resources. Over 145 million consumers are online for health, and this year's Cybercitizen Health(TM) study saw the Internet surpass doctors as the top source for obtaining health and medical information.

Top Condition Groups Who Report Not Filling a Prescription Because of the Cost

    Position        Condition

    1.              Fibromyalgia
    2.              Inflammatory Bowel Disease
    3.              Generalized Anxiety Disorder
    4.              Chronic Bronchitis
    5.              Chronic Pain
    6.              Acute Pain
    7.              Adult ADHD
    8.              Anxiety Disorder/Social Phobia
    9.              Bipolar Disorder
    10.             Depression

Among U.S. adults (18+)

Source: Cybercitizen Health(TM) v8.0 (2008)

"Healthcare costs and accessibility are major barriers for Americans, and many are turning to the Internet as an alternative resource for managing their health and making treatment decisions," said Meredith Abreu Ressi, Vice President of Research at Manhattan Research. "While the Internet is an invaluable health resource for patient educ
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