HEALTH TOPICS 
Health by the numbers
Statins and lower cholesterol ...
According to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), the percentage of Americans ages 45 and older taking a statin drug jumped from 2% in 1988–94 to 25% in 2005–08. There are roughly 117 million Americans over age 45, so that means there are almost 29 million statin users, or the equivalent of the entire populations of Florida and Georgia combined. Here is a graph from the NCHS that shows the increase:
The fact that one in every four Americans older than the mid-40s is taking a statin is really kind of stunning (presuming, of course, that there hasn't been a big fall-off since 2005–08).
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
New subscriptions to Harvard Health Online are temporarily unavailable. Click the button below to learn about our other subscription offers.