Census reports Americans go to the doctor less often

A study of working-age people found that the average number of doctor appointments dropped from 4.8 visits a year in 2001 to 3.9 visits in 2010.

The New York Times: Doctor Visits Dropping, New Census Figures Show
Americans of working age are going to the doctor less frequently than they were 10 years ago, according to a new report by the Census Bureau. In 2010, people age 18 to 64 made an average of 3.9 visits to doctors, nurses and other medical professionals, down from 4.8 visits in 2001, said the report, which was released on Monday (Tavernise, 10/1).

Houston Chronicle: Strapped Americans Skipping Doctor Visits
Buffeted by the sluggish economy and rising insurance co-payments and deductibles, working-age Americans are visiting the doctor less frequently. New U.S. Census Bureau data released on Monday showed that non-retired adults made an average of 3.9 visits to doctors or other medical providers in 2010, down from 4.8 in 2001. The decline was reflected in those insured and uninsured, in excellent health and poor health, and in all surveyed ages, ethnicities and sexes (Ackerman, 10/1).