Statistical Brief Highlights Trends in High Cholesterol Diagnosis, TreatmentThe annual average number of adults with diagnosed or treated high cholesterol increased from 76.4 million per year in 2018 and 2019 to 84.2 million in 2021 and 2022. A new statistical brief from AHRQ's Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, Recent Changes in Treatment Patterns for Diagnosed or Treated High Cholesterol, 2018–19 to 2021–22, tracks trends in a time when changing guidelines from two organizations and significant healthcare events may have impacted high cholesterol treatment. The statistical brief (1) explores how the use of medications and visits to providers changed for adult patients with new or existing high cholesterol diagnoses, and (2) provides insight into how a patient's age, insurance access, and other characteristics impacted treatment. New Analysis Examines Benzodiazepine and Opioid Use Among Older Adults In 2021–22, 4.0 percent of adults aged 65 and older used benzodiazepines, a type of medication often prescribed for anxiety or sleep problems, without opioids, while 1.5 percent used both medications at the same time. Concurrent use of these medications is identified by clinical guidelines as a potentially serious health risk for older adults. The analysis is contained in a new AHRQ Medical Expenditure Panel Survey statistical brief, Benzodiazepine Use Among Older Adults: Any Use and Concurrent Use With Opioids, which highlights differences across subgroups. Older women were more likely than men to use benzodiazepines alone, 5.1 percent compared with 2.7 percent, and with opioids, 2.0 percent compared with 0.9 percent. Seniors in the Northeast were more likely to use benzodiazepines only, 5.8 percent, than those in the South, Midwest, or West. Older adults reporting fair or poor health also had higher use of benzodiazepines alone, 5.1 percent, and in combination with opioids, 3.7 percent, compared with those in better health. Explore the statistical brief for additional insights on use by insurance, chronic conditions, and other factors. Strengthen Antibiotic Stewardship With AHRQ Resources During U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week, join AHRQ in advancing safe antibiotic use across all healthcare settings. Effective antibiotic stewardship protects patients, reduces resistance, and improves outcomes. AHRQ offers evidence-based tools to help your facility achieve your infection prevention and stewardship goals. Explore these key resources:
Preserve the power of antibiotics for future generations: access all of AHRQ's healthcare-associated infection toolkits and antimicrobial stewardship resources. Also, subscribe to the AHRQ Infection Prevention & Combating Antimicrobial Resistance Bulletin to stay up to date on AHRQ's projects and research. |
