While working to ensure that all people have access to affordable health insurance coverage is essential in providing an entry point to the U.S. health care system, it is only a first step in ensuring that individuals receive needed care. Regular interactions with the health care system and, more specifically, with a personal doctor, are essential for building trust and addressing ongoing or acute health issues with a physician who also knows a patient’s history and background.
Regular visits also serve as a means of prevention for any health-related issues that, when left unaddressed or untreated, could result in delayed diagnoses, unnecessary and costly
emergency department visits, and/or hospitalization.
Studying how many adults do not have a personal doctor can reveal patterns in health care access. This can help researchers and policymakers understand what populations (e.g., state, demographic group) may not be able to access regular health care and tailor potential supports and solutions to those groups for both efficiency and effectiveness.
Percent of Adults with No Personal Doctor by State: Breakdowns and Data Source
State Health Compare provides annual, state-level rates of the percent of adults with no personal doctor. This measure is based on Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data.
Four breakdowns are available for this measure: Coverage Type, Education, Race/Ethnicity, and Sexual Orientation.
