What Is the Impact of Medication Adherence on Public Health?

Medication adherence, or the extent to which patients take their medications as prescribed, significantly impacts public health. Poor adherence can lead to treatment failure, increased disease transmission, and higher healthcare costs. Epidemiologists study the factors that influence adherence, such as patient behavior, healthcare system characteristics, and social determinants of health. They also develop interventions to improve adherence, such as patient education programs and reminder systems.