What age group is known to take more medication than any other across the lifespan?

Older adults are known to take more medication than any other age group across the lifespan due to a combination of factors. As people age, they are more likely to experience chronic health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease, which often require long-term medication management. Additionally, older adults may have multiple co-existing health issues, a situation known as polypharmacy, where they are prescribed several medications simultaneously to address their various health concerns.

The increase in prescriptions is further influenced by the physiological changes that come with aging, such as altered drug metabolism and excretion, which can necessitate careful management of medication types and dosages. Furthermore, older adults often have regular interactions with healthcare providers, leading to increased opportunities for prescribed medications.

This contrast with younger age groups, such as children and teenagers, who typically have fewer chronic health issues requiring medication. Middle-aged adults may also take significant medications but not to the extent observed in older adults, especially since the prevalence of multiple health issues typically increases with age. Thus, the higher medication use in older adults is a well-recognized trend supported by demographic and healthcare studies.