100 Interesting Facts — Bayser Consulting

100 Facts

Medicine and Health, From Ancient Times to Modern Innovations

Oncology and Rare Diseases:

1. The rare disease Progeria, which causes premature aging, affects about 1 in 8 million children worldwide.
2. The most common childhood cancer is leukemia, accounting for about 28% of all childhood cancers.
3. The World Health Organization estimates that there are over 300,000 new cases of childhood cancer globally each year.
4. The first successful bone marrow transplant was performed in 1956 to treat leukemia.
5. The most common adult cancer is breast cancer, with over 2 million new cases diagnosed globally each year.
6. The rare genetic disorder Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) has an incidence rate of about 1 in 4-8 million newborns.
7. The rare neurological disorder Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) affects about 2 in 100,000 people worldwide.
8. The rare genetic disorder Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) affects about 1 in 1 million people and causes extreme sensitivity to UV light.
9. The World Health Organization estimates that about 400,000 children develop cancer each year, with the majority (80%) living in low- and middle-income countries.

Drug Cost and Prescription:

10. The US spends more per capita on prescription drugs than any other country in the world, despite having a lower life expectancy than many other high-income nations.
11. The U.S. spent over $535 billion on prescription drugs in 2023, accounting for nearly 12% of total healthcare expenditure.
12. Developing a new prescription drug can take 10-15 years and cost over $2.6 billion on average.
13. The US is the largest market for prescription drugs, accounting for over 40% of global pharmaceutical sales.
14. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, in 2016, 18% of children aged 0-11 years old reportedly used prescription drugs in the past 30 days
15. The average American spends about $1,200 per year on prescription drugs.
16. Nearly 70% of Americans take at least one prescription drug, and more than 50% take two or more.
17. The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the largest single purchaser of prescription drugs in the country.
18. The most expensive prescription drug in the US is Lenmeldy, costing $4.25 million for a single treatment (as of April 2024).
19. The US is one of only two countries that allow direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs.
20. Pfizer and BioNTech jointly made $59.1 billion in sales of the COVID-19 vaccine in 2022

FDA Approvals and Innovations:

21. The first drug approved by the FDA was Sulfanilamide in 1939, used to treat streptococcal infections.
22. The average time for a new drug to be developed and approved by the FDA is about 12 years.
23. The FDA approved the first 3D-printed drug, Spritam (levetiracetam), in 2015 for the treatment of seizures.
24. The FDA approved the first digital pill, Abilify MyCite (aripiprazole with an ingestible sensor), in 2017 to track medication adherence.
25. The FDA's Orphan Drug Designation program provides incentives for the development of drugs for rare diseases affecting fewer than 200,000 Americans.
26. Organ-on-a-chip technology allows researchers to test drugs on miniaturized human organs grown on microchips, reducing the need for animal testing.
27. 3D bioprinting can create personalized drug dosage forms, such as pills tailored to an individual's specific absorption and metabolism rates.
28. The FDA approved the first microbiome-based therapy, Rebyota (fecal microbiota), in 2022 for the prevention of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection.
29. The FDA's Patient-Focused Drug Development (PFDD) program aims to incorporate patient perspectives into the drug development and approval process.
30. The FDA approved the first RNA interference (RNAi) drug, Givlaari (givosiran), in 2019 for the treatment of acute hepatic porphyria.

Disease Incidence and Prevalence:

31. West Virginia has the highest prevalence of diabetes, with over 15% of the adult population affected.
32. The flu is the most common infectious disease in the US, with millions of cases each year.
33. The US has the highest incidence of Crohn's disease in the world, affecting about 780,000 Americans.
34. Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disorder in the US, affecting over 5.8 million Americans.
35. Cystic Fibrosis is the most common genetic disorder in the US, affecting about 30,000 Americans.
36. Anxiety is the most common mental health disorder in the US, affecting about 40 million adults.
37. Oregon has the highest prevalence of depression, with about 25% of the population experiencing depression.
38. Oklahoma has the highest incidence of heart disease, with 233 cases per 100,000 people.
39. Mississippi has the highest prevalence of obesity, with over 40% of the adult population being obese.
40. Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is the most common skin condition in the US, affecting about 16.5 million Americans.

Health Insurance:

41. Medicare Part D, enacted in 2003, is the largest expansion of Medicare since its creation in 1965.
42. The first employer-sponsored health insurance plan was offered by the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (TIAA) in 1910.
43. As of December 2022, approximately 90.9 million people are enrolled in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program.
44. In 2020, New York had the highest average annual premium for employer-sponsored health insurance at $8,177 for single coverage, while Utah had the lowest at $6,112.
45. In 2021, Texas had the highest percentage of uninsured residents at 18%, while Massachusetts had the lowest at 2.5%.
46. In 2020, over 11 million people were enrolled in health insurance plans through the ACA Marketplaces.
47. More than 60 million Americans are enrolled in Medicare as of 2021.
48. In 2020, about 157 million Americans had employer-sponsored health insurance.
49. California was the first state to implement Medicaid expansion under the ACA in 2010. As of 2021, 38 states and the District of Columbia have expanded Medicaid.
50. Approximately 91.7% of the U.S. population had health insurance coverage for at least part of 2021.
51. 43% of adults aged 19-64 were underinsured in 2022.
52. In 2021, approximately 54.3% of the population had private health insurance coverage.
53. As of December 2022, over 65.2 million people were enrolled in Medicare.
54. As of December 2022, approximately 90.9 million individuals were enrolled in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

AI and Medicine:

55. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are being used to accelerate drug discovery by predicting potential drug candidates and optimizing drug design.
56. AI can analyze medical images, such as X-rays and CT scans, to detect abnormalities and assist in diagnosis, sometimes with greater accuracy than human radiologists.
57. Machine learning algorithms can predict the likelihood of a patient developing certain diseases based on their medical history and lifestyle factors.
58. Robotic surgery systems, such as the da Vinci Surgical System, use AI to assist surgeons in performing minimally invasive procedures with greater precision and control.
59. Machine learning can help personalize cancer treatment by analyzing a patient's genetic profile.
60. Envision glasses use advanced technology to help visually impaired people navigate their surroundings, read text, and identify objects, all through auditory feedback.
61. 3D printing has enabled the creation of customized prosthetics, implants, and surgical guides, improving patient outcomes and reducing costs.
62. Robotic exoskeletons can help patients with spinal cord injuries or neurological disorders regain mobility.
63. Minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as laparoscopy and endoscopy, have reduced patient recovery times and complications compared to traditional open surgeries.
64. Gene editing technologies, like CRISPR-Cas9, have the potential to cure genetic diseases by precisely modifying DNA sequences.
65. Wireless brain-computer interfaces can allow patients with paralysis or neurological disorders to control prosthetic limbs or communicate using brain signals.
66. The Embrace smartwatch is designed to detect seizures and alert caregivers, providing peace of mind for people with epilepsy.

Pharmaceutical Industry and Legislation:

67. The therapeutic areas with the highest spending in the U.S. are antidiabetics, oncologics, autoimmune, and respiratory diseases.
68. The U.S. consumed about 30% of the world's supply of opioids in 2015.
69. Congress passed the ALS Registry Act in 2001, granting immediate Medicare coverage to individuals diagnosed with ALS.
70. In 1972, Congress extended Medicare coverage to people with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), irrespective of their age.
71. The U.S. constitutes only 5% of the world's population but consumes approximately 75% of the world's prescription drugs.
72. The U.S. gov. launched a drug take-back program in 2023, collecting over 5M pounds of unused meds in the 1st year to prevent misuse and environmental contamination.
73. The U.S. pharmaceutical industry invests over $100 billion annually in research and development.
74. In 2023, a record-breaking $8.5 billion was spent on lobbying efforts by the pharmaceutical and health products industry in the United States.

Historical Facts:

75. The first recorded case of cancer dates back to ancient Egypt, around 3000 BC, in the Edwin Smith Papyrus.
76. The first chemotherapy drug, mustard gas, was discovered during World War II.
77. The CIA secretly dosed unsuspecting Americans with LSD as part of Project MKUltra in the 1950s and 60s.
78. The world's oldest pharmacy still in operation is the Taleghani Pharmacy in Iran, which has been open since 1796.
79. In the early 1900s, pharmacies sold radioactive water as a "health tonic."
80. The world's largest medical prescription was written in 1952 and was over 15 feet long.
81. In the early 1900s, pharmacies sold "Dr. Rose's French Arsenic Complexion Wafers," which promised to improve skin by poisoning the body with arsenic.
82. The first recorded use of insulin to treat diabetes was in 1922, extracted from the pancreases of dogs. Before that, the disease was often fatal.
83. The first recorded use of aspirin as a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory was in 1899, derived from willow bark extract.
84. Some ancient Chinese prescriptions included unusual ingredients like arsenic, mercury, and even horse urine.
85. In the 1940s and 1950s, "Hadacol" was marketed as a vitamin supplement but contained high levels of alcohol.
86. In the 1800s, some pharmacies sold "Godfrey's Cordial," a concoction of opium, treacle, and spices used to quiet crying babies. It led to numerous infant deaths.
87. The first modern antibiotic, penicillin, was discovered accidentally in 1928 when a mold contaminated a petri dish in Alexander Fleming's lab.
88. The first recorded use of general anesthesia during childbirth was in 1847, using chloroform. Before that, women had to endure labor pain without relief.

Miscellaneous Facts:

89. In 2020, over 4.4 billion prescriptions were filled in the United States, averaging about 12.7 prescriptions per person.
90. In some states, there are more opioid prescriptions than there are people. For example, in 2017, Alabama had 107.2 opioid prescriptions per 100 persons.
91. A 2023 study found that the use of prescription virtual reality therapy can be effective in treating chronic pain, reducing the need for opioid medications.
92. A 2024 study discovered that over 30% of American adults who take prescription medications regularly have skipped doses, cut pills in half, or delayed refills due to cost concerns.
93. The most common autoimmune disorder in the US is Graves' disease, affecting about 1 in 200 people.
94. A 2024 study found that the use of prescription meditation apps can be as effective as medication in treating mild to moderate anxiety and depression.
95. The U.S. has seen a significant increase in prescription drug use among young adults aged 18-44, with usage rates rising by 30% between 2000 and 2016.
96. A 2024 breakthrough in gene therapy led to the development of a one-time treatment for sickle cell anemia.
97. The world's most counterfeited drug is Viagra, with over 80% of online sales estimated to be fake.
98. The world's largest pharmacy is the US Defense Department's Tricare Mail Order Pharmacy, which fills over 100,000 prescriptions daily.
99. In 2023, a pharmaceutical company was fined $300 million for creating a fake disease in order to sell more drugs.
100. A 2024 study found that nearly 40% of antibiotics prescribed in the U.S. are unnecessary.

100 Facts

Medicine and Health, From Ancient Times to Modern Innovations

1. The rare disease Progeria, which causes premature aging, affects about 1 in 8 million children worldwide.

2. The most common childhood cancer is leukemia, accounting for about 28% of all childhood cancers.

3. The World Health Organization estimates that there are over 300,000 new cases of childhood cancer globally each year.

4. The first successful bone marrow transplant was performed in 1956 to treat leukemia.

5. The most common adult cancer is breast cancer, with over 2 million new cases diagnosed globally each year.

6. The rare genetic disorder Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) has an incidence rate of about 1 in 4-8 million newborns.

7. The rare neurological disorder Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) affects about 2 in 100,000 people worldwide.

8. The rare genetic disorder Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) affects about 1 in 1 million people and causes extreme sensitivity to UV light.

9. The World Health Organization estimates that about 400,000 children develop cancer each year, with the majority (80%) living in low- and middle-income countries.

10. The US spends more per capita on prescription drugs than any other country in the world, despite having a lower life expectancy than many other high-income nations.

11. The U.S. spent over $535 billion on prescription drugs in 2023, accounting for nearly 12% of total healthcare expenditure.

12. Developing a new prescription drug can take 10-15 years and cost over $2.6 billion on average.

13. The US is the largest market for prescription drugs, accounting for over 40% of global pharmaceutical sales.

14. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, in 2016, 18% of children aged 0-11 years old reportedly used prescription drugs in the past 30 days

15. The average American spends about $1,200 per year on prescription drugs.

16. Nearly 70% of Americans take at least one prescription drug, and more than 50% take two or more.

17. The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the largest single purchaser of prescription drugs in the country.

18. The most expensive prescription drug in the US is Lenmeldy, costing $4.25 million for a single treatment (as of April 2024).

19. The US is one of only two countries that allow direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs.

20. Pfizer and BioNTech jointly made $59.1 billion in sales of the COVID-19 vaccine in 2022

21. The first drug approved by the FDA was Sulfanilamide in 1939, used to treat streptococcal infections.

22. The average time for a new drug to be developed and approved by the FDA is about 12 years.

23. The FDA approved the first 3D-printed drug, Spritam (levetiracetam), in 2015 for the treatment of seizures.

24. The FDA approved the first digital pill, Abilify MyCite (aripiprazole with an ingestible sensor), in 2017 to track medication adherence.

25. The FDA's Orphan Drug Designation program provides incentives for the development of drugs for rare diseases affecting fewer than 200,000 Americans.

26. Organ-on-a-chip technology allows researchers to test drugs on miniaturized human organs grown on microchips, reducing the need for animal testing.

27. 3D bioprinting can create personalized drug dosage forms, such as pills tailored to an individual's specific absorption and metabolism rates.

28. The FDA approved the first microbiome-based therapy, Rebyota (fecal microbiota), in 2022 for the prevention of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection.

29. The FDA's Patient-Focused Drug Development (PFDD) program aims to incorporate patient perspectives into the drug development and approval process.

30. The FDA approved the first RNA interference (RNAi) drug, Givlaari (givosiran), in 2019 for the treatment of acute hepatic porphyria.

31. West Virginia has the highest prevalence of diabetes, with over 15% of the adult population affected.

32. The flu is the most common infectious disease in the US, with millions of cases each year.

33. The US has the highest incidence of Crohn's disease in the world, affecting about 780,000 Americans.

34. Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disorder in the US, affecting over 5.8 million Americans.

35. Cystic Fibrosis is the most common genetic disorder in the US, affecting about 30,000 Americans.

36. Anxiety is the most common mental health disorder in the US, affecting about 40 million adults.

37. Oregon has the highest prevalence of depression, with about 25% of the population experiencing depression.

38. Oklahoma has the highest incidence of heart disease, with 233 cases per 100,000 people.

39. Mississippi has the highest prevalence of obesity, with over 40% of the adult population being obese.

40. Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is the most common skin condition in the US, affecting about 16.5 million Americans.

41. Medicare Part D, enacted in 2003, is the largest expansion of Medicare since its creation in 1965.

42. The first employer-sponsored health insurance plan was offered by the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (TIAA) in 1910.

43. As of December 2022, approximately 90.9 million people are enrolled in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program.

44. In 2020, New York had the highest average annual premium for employer-sponsored health insurance at $8,177 for single coverage, while Utah had the lowest at $6,112.

45. In 2021, Texas had the highest percentage of uninsured residents at 18%, while Massachusetts had the lowest at 2.5%.

46. In 2020, over 11 million people were enrolled in health insurance plans through the ACA Marketplaces.

47. More than 60 million Americans are enrolled in Medicare as of 2021.

48. In 2020, about 157 million Americans had employer-sponsored health insurance.

49. California was the first state to implement Medicaid expansion under the ACA in 2010. As of 2021, 38 states and the District of Columbia have expanded Medicaid.

50. Approximately 91.7% of the U.S. population had health insurance coverage for at least part of 2021.

51. 43% of adults aged 19-64 were underinsured in 2022.

52. In 2021, approximately 54.3% of the population had private health insurance coverage.

53. As of December 2022, over 65.2 million people were enrolled in Medicare.

54. As of December 2022, approximately 90.9 million individuals were enrolled in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

55. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are being used to accelerate drug discovery by predicting potential drug candidates and optimizing drug design.

56. AI can analyze medical images, such as X-rays and CT scans, to detect abnormalities and assist in diagnosis, sometimes with greater accuracy than human radiologists.

57. Machine learning algorithms can predict the likelihood of a patient developing certain diseases based on their medical history and lifestyle factors.

58. Robotic surgery systems, such as the da Vinci Surgical System, use AI to assist surgeons in performing minimally invasive procedures with greater precision and control.

59. Machine learning can help personalize cancer treatment by analyzing a patient's genetic profile.

60. Envision glasses use advanced technology to help visually impaired people navigate their surroundings, read text, and identify objects, all through auditory feedback.

61. 3D printing has enabled the creation of customized prosthetics, implants, and surgical guides, improving patient outcomes and reducing costs.

62. Robotic exoskeletons can help patients with spinal cord injuries or neurological disorders regain mobility.

63. Minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as laparoscopy and endoscopy, have reduced patient recovery times and complications compared to traditional open surgeries.

64. Gene editing technologies, like CRISPR-Cas9, have the potential to cure genetic diseases by precisely modifying DNA sequences.

65. Wireless brain-computer interfaces can allow patients with paralysis or neurological disorders to control prosthetic limbs or communicate using brain signals.

66. The Embrace smartwatch is designed to detect seizures and alert caregivers, providing peace of mind for people with epilepsy.

67. The therapeutic areas with the highest spending in the U.S. are antidiabetics, oncologics, autoimmune, and respiratory diseases.

68. The U.S. consumed about 30% of the world's supply of opioids in 2015.

69. Congress passed the ALS Registry Act in 2001, granting immediate Medicare coverage to individuals diagnosed with ALS.

70. In 1972, Congress extended Medicare coverage to people with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), irrespective of their age.

71. The U.S. constitutes only 5% of the world's population but consumes approximately 75% of the world's prescription drugs.

72. The U.S. gov. launched a drug take-back program in 2023, collecting over 5M pounds of unused meds in the 1st year to prevent misuse and environmental contamination.

73. The U.S. pharmaceutical industry invests over $100 billion annually in research and development.

74. In 2023, a record-breaking $8.5 billion was spent on lobbying efforts by the pharmaceutical and health products industry in the United States.

75. The first recorded case of cancer dates back to ancient Egypt, around 3000 BC, in the Edwin Smith Papyrus.

76. The first chemotherapy drug, mustard gas, was discovered during World War II.

77. The CIA secretly dosed unsuspecting Americans with LSD as part of Project MKUltra in the 1950s and 60s.

78. The world's oldest pharmacy still in operation is the Taleghani Pharmacy in Iran, which has been open since 1796.