Though technological innovations like telehealth software solutions have assisted the progress of healthcare, patients still battle with many health challenges. Nearly 20 million Americans suffer from chronic pain that challenges their daily activities, according to the new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This study reviewed the 2016 National Health Interview Survey, which registered the responses from more than 17,000 adults and found that 1 in 5 Americans suffer from chronic pain. Of those cases, 8% or about 19.6 million, suffer from pain that interferes with their daily lives.
The report mentions that among women, the elderly, poor and people in rural areas are at risk for chronic pain. At a time when the country is facing an opioid epidemic, physicians have been pushed to curb opioid prescriptions so that patients don’t get addicted.
But, many doctors are struggling to strike a balance between caring for patients with chronic, debilitating pain, fulfilling new standards and guidelines for opioid prescriptions. The CDC researchers mentioned that having a clear idea of who is suffering most from chronic pain will help to develop more effective and targeted therapies to manage their health conditions.