“The doctor shortage in the U.S. will likely get worse before it gets better.” According to data published in June 2021 by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the United States will be short between 17,800 and 48,000 primary care physicians by 2034.
Between 2019 and 2034, the United States population under age 18 is projected to grow just 5.6%. Conversely, the population age 65 and older is predicted to grow by 42.4%, while the 75-and-older population may grow nearly 74%.
The AAMC predicts that by 2034, 42% of the demand for physician services will be for the care of people aged 65 and older, compared to 34% of demand now.”
We should make sure that the 52 year olds now are healthy. They will be the 65 year olds in 2034, part of the 42%.
I always ask my patients these:
How can you be healthy at 80 when you are sickly at 70?
How can you be healthy at 70 when you couldn’t even run at 60?
How can you be healthy at 60 when you are metabolically unfit with bad arteries at 50?
From:
R. De La Rosa, MD
Primary Care Physician
Internal Medicine
Sept 11, 2021
