Could You Pass Me Those Cracklins..And My Lipitor

Forbes.com. has an article by Rebecca Ruiz that lists the top ten "most medicated" states, and guess who comes in number 8? Of course, there are many contributing factors that lead to this, but the big three are heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. Dr. Jane Barlow, vice president of medical strategy and clinical quality for Medco Health Solutions is quoted in the article:

"The growth in prescription drug use," says Barlow, is driven in part by "chronic diseases that are largely preventable and are linked to lifestyle and physical activity."

You don't have to look very far to find the other states in the top ten, most are right here in the south with a couple of exceptions.

1. West Virginia
2. Alabama
3. South Carolina
4. Tennessee
5. Arkansas
6. Missouri
7. Kentucky
8. Louisiana
9. Mississippi
10. Iowa

Here are Louisiana's relevant stats:

Retail prescriptions filled per capita: 15.4

Percent of obese/overweight adults: 63.6%
National average: 63%

Heart disease death rate per 100,000: 232.2
National average: 200.2

Prevalence of diabetes: 10.6%
National average: 8.2%

Read more here.