More Americans Taking Drugs for Mental Illness
Reuters – May 5, 2009
Summary: According to a recent article published by Reuters, U.S. researchers have reported that the number of Americans using prescription drugs to treat mental illness has increased dramatically since 1996 (73% more adults and 50% more children). The reasons for this increase are primarily expanded insurance coverage and greater familiarity with the drugs among primary care doctors. “Mental health has become much more a part of mainstream medical care”, said Sherry Glied of Columbia University in New York City. However, Glied said that there has been little progress in access to care among people with more serious mental illness.