CONSUMERS, SCIENCE AND MEDICINES Only 6% of Americans can be considered scientifically literate based on their knowledge of the processes of science, identification of scientific concepts and terms and their understanding of the impact of science on society, according to a 1990 study by Darling-Hammond & Hudson. From 30% to 50% of Americans do not take their prescription medicines correctly. This includes taking too little, taking too much, stopping the medicine too soon, not obtaining initial prescriptions or refills, mis-timing doses or taking someone else's medicine. The major reasons for the incorrect use of half of all prescribed medicines are the lack of communication between consumers and health professionals and consumers' lack of understanding of the medicines prescribed to them. Only 58% of patients receive instructions from their physicians for using their medicines and only 35% get directions from their pharmacist and only one in 10 patients ask questions to get the information they need to fully understand the medicine they are taking. Improperly taking medication can lead to additional physician visits, additional diagnostic tests, additional prescription costs, emergency room visits, hospitalization, nursing home admissions, and most seriously, untreated or unsuccessfully cured diseases or medical problems. Almost half (46%) of children under age 18 do not take their medicines as prescribed. More than half of Americans over age 65 do not take their medicines correctly, and each year, more than 9 million adverse drug reactions occur in older Americans. Nearly one-fourth of all nursing home admissions result from older people being unable to take their medicines properly. About 20 million workdays are lost each year due to poorly used heart disease medicines. About 100 prescription medicines can produce unwanted effects when mixed with alcohol. (Information courtesy of the National Council on Patient Information and Education)