Leah L Zullig

Primary Theme: Brain & Society

In the U.S., about half of the 3.2 billion prescriptions dispensed annually are not taken as instructed, leading to 125,000 preventable deaths and wasted medical expenditure amounting to $290 billion a year. Medication nonadherence is a prevalent issue worldwide and across all socioeconomic groups, yet existing intervention programs have been only moderately effective, and long-term results are often less than satisfactory. Improving patient adherence is critical in raising healthcare quality, leveling health disparities and containing costs for the individuals and the health system. The issue requires more public attention and further research to understand and target the motivators and barriers influencing people’s decisions and actions.