# Headline news

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headline-news/357360>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [May 19, 2006, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headline-news/357360 "2006-05-19T02:58:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Kiminy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Kiminy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiminy)\
**Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headline-news/357360/1 "2006-05-19T02:58:03Z")

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Today, while I was reading RSS feeds from local TV stations, I came across the following headline:

[Research: Too Many Meds Increases Risk Of Dying](http://www.wave3.com/Global/story.asp?S=4918703)

The opening paragraph:

> [@](#):
>
> New research shows that taking more than four medications drastically increases the risk of dying. It’s called “polypharmacy” – taking more medications than you need. That’s why the University of Louisville is launching a program to reduce the number of people who could be at risk. WAVE 3 Medical Reporter Lori Lyle has the story.

My reaction: How can meds increase a 100% risk? I mean, won’t we all die eventually anyway?

You have to read more than halfway through the article to find the time frame and age reference the article refers to.