New data from the U.S. Census Bureau concludes that Americans visited their doctors fewer times in 2010 than in prior years, The New York Times reported. According to the data, Americans between the ages of 18 and 64 made just under four visits to their physician in 2010. That compares to nearly five visits a year made in 2001. Experts suggest more people lack health insurance than they did a decade ago, prompting them to cut back on primary care. Only 24 percent of those without insurance coverage make a doctor's visit in any given year--compared to 72 percent of the population as a whole.
Although the census data shows fewer Americans are being hospitalized overnight than in the past, many studies have suggested those people without access to regular primary medical care are more likely to be hospitalized because minor ailments blow up into major medical issues. Article