We’re seeing doctors less often, report finds

EVERETT — Americans may be uninsured or not able to afford their deductibles. They could be healthy or at least want to think they are. Or they might not feel comfortable taking time away from work.

Whatever the reason, Americans are visiting their doctors less frequently.

A report released this week by the U.S. Census Bureau revealed that working-age adults made an average of less than four visits to doctors, nurses, dentists or other medical providers in 2010. That’s down from nearly five visits they made in 2001.

“This is mostly related to economics,” said Dr. Tom Yetman, chief executive officer for Providence Medical Group in Everett. “People are nervous about seeking health care. Many don’t know what their medical insurance will pay. Their co-pays and deductibles are higher because companies are asking their employees to shoulder more of the responsibility. And people believe that taking time off to see the doctor puts their jobs at risk.”

According to the census report, most Americans consider themselves to be healthy.

“I do not think that we are healthier now than in 2001,” Yetman said. “In the Puget Sound region, people are pretty healthy. But as a nation, we’re more obese, more have diabetes and heart disease and kids have less P.E. in school.”

About 24 percent reported to the Census Bureau that their health was “good,” while 8 percent described it as “fair” and 2 percent as “poor.” That nearly 66 percent said their health was either “excellent” or “very good” is partially wishful thinking, Yetman said.

“No news is often interpreted as good news. What we hope for is what we say we believe,” Yetman said. “Of those people, I wonder if their primary care physicians would support their claims. A portion of our population is taking better care of themselves, but not most.”

The decline in the use of medical services was widespread, taking place regardless of health status, said Brett O’Hara, chief of the Census Bureau’s health and disability statistics branch.

Among all people who reported excellent health, 85 percent were insured. The number of Americans without health insurance rose to nearly 50 million in 2010, up about a million people from the year before, according to the Census Bureau.

Among uninsured adults who visited a doctor or dentist during the year, 13 percent visited an emergency room, while 20 percent to 30 percent received free or discounted services, such as the services provided by Safe Harbor Free Clinic in Stanwood and the Community Health Center of Snohomish County in Edmonds.

“It’s getting really tough out their for a lot of people. Our patient load is still going up,” said Julie Vess, executive director for Safe Harbor. “In our exit interviews with patients, we ask where they would go if Safe Harbor wasn’t open. Most say nowhere. Many people who come to our chronic care clinic on Fridays haven’t been to a doctor for four or five years.”

Yetman said many people are ashamed to ask for help. Medical centers such as Providence are trying to provide services on sliding fee scales and offer appointments on weekends and evenings.

“The problem is that when people avoid care, their health gets worse and ends up costing even more,” Yetman said.

Bruce Williams, a physician with Swedish/Edmonds Medical Center, said that, with some diseases, people who don’t get regular check-ups don’t even know they are sick.

Doctor visits were more likely as people got older, the report said. About 37 percent of people age 18 to 24 did not visit a health care provider at all during the year. Of those 65 and older, only 8 percent did not visit their doctors.

Hispanics were the least likely racial or ethnic group to see a medical provider with 42 percent never visiting a doctor during the year. Women were more likely than men to have visited a medical provider during the year: 78 percent compared with 67 percent.

More than half the population did not take prescription medication at any point during the previous year, while 35 percent reported taking it regularly — 80 percent of older adults and 13 percent of children, for example.

Respondents also were much less likely to visit a dentist at least once in the last year than they were a medical doctor.

“I do think more people are taking their health seriously and that those who don’t are in a minority, but the stress of our society is great,” Williams said. “South Snohomish County ranks higher than state averages in binge drinking and depression. It’s tough to raise kids with both parents working or nobody working.”

Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order halting work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett will welcome new CEO in June

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Kelli Littlejohn, who was 11 when her older sister Melissa Lee was murdered, speaks to a group of investigators and deputies to thank them for bringing closure to her family after over 30 years on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘She can rest in peace’: Jury convicts Bothell man in 1993 killing

Even after police arrested Alan Dean in 2020, it was unclear if he would stand trial. He was convicted Thursday in the murder of Melissa Lee, 15.

Ariel Garcia, 4, was last seen Wednesday morning in an apartment in the 4800 block of Vesper Dr. (Photo provided by Everett Police)
Everett police searching for missing child, 4

Ariel Garcia was last seen Wednesday at an apartment in the 4800 block of Vesper Drive. The child was missing under “suspicious circumstances.”

The rezoned property, seen here from the Hillside Vista luxury development, is surrounded on two sides by modern neighborhoods Monday, March 25, 2024, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Despite petition, Lake Stevens OKs rezone for new 96-home development

The change faced resistance from some residents, who worried about the effects of more density in the neighborhood.

Rep. Suzan DelBene, left, introduces Xichitl Torres Small, center, Undersecretary for Rural Development with the U.S. Department of Agriculture during a talk at Thomas Family Farms on Monday, April 3, 2023, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Under new federal program, Washingtonians can file taxes for free

At a press conference Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene called the Direct File program safe, easy and secure.

Former Snohomish County sheriff’s deputy Jeremie Zeller appears in court for sentencing on multiple counts of misdemeanor theft Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ex-sheriff’s deputy sentenced to 1 week of jail time for hardware theft

Jeremie Zeller, 47, stole merchandise from Home Depot in south Everett, where he worked overtime as a security guard.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.