Fact File

How often Americans visit the doctor varies based on a number of factors, including the type of physician. While about 87% reported seeing their primary care physician in the past year, only 79% reported visiting or taking a minor to a pediatrician, and only 33% made a trip to see an internist. Also, results of the 2010 Thomson Reuters PULSE™ Healthcare Survey show distinct differences in physician utilization based on demographic factors such as age, income, and education.

A look at 2009 hospital inpatient data reveals some interesting trends. While the number of hospital stays increased from 34.7 million in 1997 to 39.4 million in 2009 (a 14% increase overall), the rate of hospitalizations remained unchanged: There were 1,278 hospital stays for every 10,000 persons in the United States in 1997 and 1,284 stays per 10,000 persons in 2009. Over that same period, the aggregate inflation-adjusted costs for hospitalizations?the actual costs of producing hospital services?increased 57%. Costs rose from $229.6 billion to $361.5 billion?an average annual increase of 3.9%. Also, both uninsured and Medicaid stays increased 42% between 1997 and 2009, a growth rate three times that of all stays.

Thomson Reuters regularly analyzes the 10-year rates of various kinds of cancer to track trends and changes. This study found dramatic, rapid increases for four kinds of cancer: thyroid, kidney, melanoma, and pancreas. Three kinds of cancer showed significant decreasing rates: colorectal, ovary, and uterine/cervical. Some rates remained relatively unchanged: breast, lung, and prostate. The rates represent the incidence of new cases per 100,000 of the U.S. population.