What percent of Americans don't go to the doctor?

Asked by: Zita Gottlieb  |  Last update: April 20, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (37 votes)

Nearly 40% of Americans skipped medical care in 2022 because of cost concerns, poll finds. A growing number of Americans are delaying important medical care because of the high cost of treatment, a new survey shows.

Is it normal to not go to the doctor?

If you're young and healthy, it can be. Between age 20 and 40, some folks don't see a doctor at all. Women's health visits are necessary for many, and of course there are also folks in this age range with illnesses who need to see a doc regularly.

How many Americans avoid medical care?

Using data from a nationally representative survey of American adults, we find that approximately 1 in every 6 adults reports avoiding needed health care due to cost. Some of our findings are encouraging.

How many people don't have access to doctors?

With more than 100 million Americans without a primary care doctor, community health centers can help fill the gap.

How many Americans lack access to primary care?

US Census 2020; National Provider Index 2022. Over 100 million people in the United States—many of whom are children—lack access to a regular source of primary care. in their community.

Why more Americans are putting off going to the doctor

30 related questions found

How many Americans don't have a doctor?

Mar 1, 2023

More than 100 million people in the United States don't have a primary care provider, and about a quarter of those are children, according to the report, 'Closing the Primary Care Gap,' released Monday by the National Association of Community Health Centers.”

How many Americans go without healthcare?

The Share of Americans Without Health Insurance in 2023 Remained Low. In 2023, 26 million people — or 8 percent of the population — were uninsured, according to a report in September 2024 from the Census Bureau.

Why don't Americans go to the doctor?

Three overarching categories of reasons emerged based on the necessity, availability, and desirability of care-seeking: 1) low perceived need to seek medical care; 2) traditional barriers to medical care, in which people may want to seek care but are limited in their ability to do so; and 3) unfavorable evaluations of ...

How often does the average American go to the doctor?

How Often Americans See a Doctor. The average American visits his or her doctor four times per year.

Do some people never go to the doctor?

According to the NIH and other sources, 30 percent to 40 percent of people report avoiding medical care even when they think they should go to a doctor.

Why are less people going to the doctor?

They Don't Understand Their Health Risks or Know About the Benefits of Preventive Care. If someone is generally in good health (especially when they're young) they may not see the point in going to the doctor. People who are “healthy as a horse” may go years, if not decades, without seeing a medical professional.

What country has the best healthcare?

According to the 2024 Mirror, Mirror report, Australia, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom have the best healthcare systems, though the differences in overall performance among most countries are relatively small.

How much is a doctor visit in the USA without insurance?

According to a study by the Health Care Cost Institute, the average cost of a doctor visit without insurance in 2023 ranges from $300 to $600. You can walk into an AG Care facility for $150. One of the biggest factors that can impact the cost of a doctor's visit without insurance is the reason for your visit.

How often do you really need to go to the doctor?

In general for both men and women, if you are in basically good health and under the age of 50, it is recommended you see your PCP every three years for a checkup. After age 50, see your doctor once a year.

Why do so many men avoid doctor's visits?

Men give lots of reasons why they don't have schedule regular doctor visits. Here are four of the most common ones: Fear of bad news. Men often worry that a symptom they're experiencing might lead to a doomsday diagnosis, so they avoid thinking about it or consulting a doctor.

Is it rude to not say doctor?

If, when meeting people with doctorates, you're unsure how to address them, "Dr." is always correct. If they'd rather the title be dropped, they will let you know. It's more common for women to use the title "Doctor" socially as well as professionally than in the past.

What age group visits the doctor the most?

They found that adolescents aged 13 to 18 years averaged 1.9 visits per year, lower than any other age-group except those aged 19 to 24 years (eg, those aged 25 to 64 years averaged 3.1, and those aged 65 years and older averaged 6.1).

How long can you go without seeing a doctor?

In general, you should see a primary care doctor at least once a year for a general checkup and blood work. Chronic conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, require more frequent checkups.

Why is it so hard to get a doctor's appointment now?

The U.S. is facing a physician shortage, in primary care and many specialties, which can lead to longer wait times for patients and reduced access to care. Learn more about this current physician shortage and how the AMA is helping to address it.

What percentage of Americans do not go to the doctor?

In 2022, 38% of Americans said they or a family member skipped or delayed medical care, amid the highest rate of inflation in more than 40 years, according to an annual health care poll from Gallup.

Which doctor is most needed in America?

Below is a list of the seven most in-demand medical specialties.
  • Primary care physicians: ...
  • Internal medicine. ...
  • Emergency medicine. ...
  • Psychiatry. ...
  • Gynecology. ...
  • Neurology. ...
  • Radiology.

How to spot a bad doctor?

7 Signs of a Bad Doctor
  1. 1 – Poor Communication Skills. ...
  2. 2 – Lack of Empathy. ...
  3. 3 – Rushed Appointments. ...
  4. 4 – Inadequate Knowledge or Outdated Practices. ...
  5. 5 – Disregard for Patient Privacy and Confidentiality. ...
  6. 6 – Frequent Misdiagnosis or Treatment Failures. ...
  7. 7 – Unprofessional Behavior.

What happens in America if you can't afford healthcare?

Americans are no longer taxed for not carrying health insurance. Medical debt contributes to a large number of bankruptcies in America. Access to quality primary care is critical, but doctors have the right to refuse patients without insurance or who are able to pay out-of-pocket expenses.

What percentage of the US has no access to healthcare?

Introduction. An estimated 26 million Americans, or 8 percent of the U.S. population, lacked health insurance in 2023.

How many Americans have medical debt?

According to the CFPB, 100 million Americans owe $220 billion in medical debt. George told me that medical debt has had several devastating impacts on his life: Inability to borrow money for a mortgage or a car.