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State Health Compare

Percent who had general doctor or provider visit in the past year

Measure Overview

How many people go to the doctor? Providing people with access to a doctor or health care is just one part of improving public health—people utilizing health care services is another important piece. Utilization of health care services is important as it allows individuals to obtain information about their health status, maintain or improve their health and well-being, and respond to health problems with guidance from a health care provider. 

However, there are many barriers that prevent individuals from accessing health services from a general doctor or other health care provider, such as the cost of health care services, lack of transportation, being uninsured, or a distrust of the medical system. Measuring and tracking rates of individuals who report having a general doctor or provider visit can help identify who is, and who is not, utilizing health care services across the country, which can help in understanding trends, identifying groups for targeted outreach, and informing policy efforts aimed at improving both access and utilization of health care. 

Percent Who Had General Doctor Visit by State, Age, and More: Breakdowns and Data Source 


State Health Compare provides state-level estimates of the percent of individuals who had a general doctor or provider visit in the past year using data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). 

Two breakdowns are available for this measure: Age and Coverage Type.

Generate customized graphics using this data by selecting one of the options below.

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