Has Everyone Become A Statistic?

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 25 is now the average age for women to marry; and 86% of women are married by age 40. Although there is a 45% divorce rate, Americans marry at a rate of 7.5 per 1,000. The French and German marry at a rate of 4.5 to 4.9 per 1,000, the Swedes at 4.0 to 4.4 and the Belgians at 2.8 to 3.9. Although a 2007 Pew study found that "mutual happiness and fulfillment" was the main reason Americans got married, children ranked eighth on a list of what make a marriage successful - but who defines successful?

According to national surveys, antidepressant drug use in the U.S. doubled between 1996 and 2005. In 1996 6% of Americans - 13 million - used antidepressants. In 2005 use increased to 10% - 27 million. In 2008 more than 164 million prescriptions for antidepressants were written, costing $9.6 billion. Although there has been little change in promotional spending, direct-to-consumer advertising went from 3.3% - $32 million - to 12% - $122 million. However, as antidepressant prescriptions increased, psychotherapy decreased. This decrease is attributed to treatment for depression being more socially acceptable, new drugs and less insurance coverage. It seems talk isn't cheap.

According to a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society that followed almost 6,000 seniors, women who drank moderately were less likely to experience age-related declines in cognition. Although these researchers found no protective effect for men, another study did. A study published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry pooled the findings of several studies - including reports with more than 10,000 seniors. This study found that both female and male drinkers were about 50% less likely to develop dementia than non-drinkers. It seems you can have the results you want if you research the research.

Of course, drinking too much and driving drunk is dangerous. Walking drunk is dangerous too. In fact, January 1st consistently averages the highest number of walkers killed in motor vehicle crashes. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 410 pedestrians were killed on New Year's Day between 1986 and 2002 and 107 pedestrians were killed between 2004 and 2008. Nearly 60% of the pedestrians killed were legally drunk. Perhaps March 12th, the day with the lowest average of pedestrian deaths - 11 - should become a U.S. holiday - National Walking Day.