There is wide regional variation in antibiotic prescription fill rates across the U.S., according to The Health of America Report by the BlueCross BlueSheild association.
The report examines antibiotic prescriptions filled by commercially insured members from 2010 to 2016 as a result of an outpatient visit. It includes information from 173 million patient claims for filled antibiotic prescriptions from more than 31 million commercially insured Americans under the age of 65 years.
Here are six things to know about the regional breakdown of antibiotic prescription fill rates:
1. Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas have the highest prescription fill rates. In 2016, the rates of antibiotic prescriptions filled per 100 members in these three states were:
• Mississippi: 123.3
• Alabama: 122.6
• Arkansas: 114.6
2. The fill rates in Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas are nearly three times greater than those in the lowest states.
3. Hawaii, Oregon and Montana have the lowest prescription fill rates, which experienced the following rates of antibiotic prescriptions filled per 100 members in 2016:
• Hawaii: 52.2
• Oregon: 49.2
• Montana: 45
4. The states with the highest antibiotic prescription fill rates are grouped in portions of Appalachia and the South.
5. The states with the lowest prescription fill rates are primarily in New England and the West.
6. The antibiotic prescription fill rate is 16 percent higher in rural counties than in urban counties.
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