I need to spill some green tea on why America's got a thing for prescription meds instead of embracing those sweet, sweet preventative methods.
Let's face it, y'all, we're living in the fast lane. With hectic schedules and Instagram-worthy lives to lead, who's got time for preventative measures? Pop a pill, and you're back to that brunch date in no time! The "now, now, now" culture has us all chasing the quick fix, and that's exactly what prescription meds promise. But the bitter pill to swallow (pun intended), is healthcare is a stupid huge industry. Prescription meds rake in billions for pharmaceutical companies, and that means they've got some deep pockets to influence policy and marketing. The more pills they sell, the fatter their wallets get, so guess what gets pushed to the front of the line? Yep, those little orange bottles.
Remember when Cerebral was everywhere, attempting to rip the market pie piece from the hands of competitors Better Help and TalkSpace. They even got of-the-moment, mental health advocate, Simone Biles to partner...then they got busted. Those handy AI bots were shelling out misdiagnosed ADHD meds like beads at Mardi Gras.
Hopping on a 30-minute call to get meds you've waited months to fill because an online survey says you have [insert ailment] makes a lot of sense to people suffering and finding no relief. We get it. Not to mention insurance companies play a big role in this prescription frenzy. They often cover medication costs more readily than preventative care. It's like they're saying, "Sure, we'll pay for your meds, but that yoga class? Sorry, not in the cards." It's a tangled web that keeps us reaching for the pill bottle.
In the USA, doctors are often paid for treating illnesses, not for helping you stay healthy. So, guess what they tend to focus on? Yep, prescribing medications to manage those ailments. We don't know, what we don't know. It's not surprising that the average person rather pop a pill than revamp our entire lifestyle. Education is key to shifting this prescription-heavy culture.
So, there you have it! America's love affair with prescription meds isn't going away anytime soon. (Dependent upon how deep you are and your treatment plan, you may even feel like you're married to your scripts). But hey, that doesn't mean we can't start a revolution in the way we think about healthcare. The Better Spot and other incredible companies our there are embracing those preventative methods and break free from the prescription cycle.
Your future self will thank you!
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