Less doctor visits in 2010

Americans aren’t going to the doctor as much as they used to, according to a Census Bureau report released Oct. 1.

Adults made an average of 3.9 medical appointments in 2010, down from 4.8 in 2001.

The decrease in visits occurred for both those who consider their health to be good or poor. Most said their health was excellent or very good.

For those who consider their health to be either poor or fair, the average number of visits decreased from 12.9 visits to 11.6 between 2010 and 2001. The number of visits dropped from 3.2 to 2.5 among those who consider their health to be excellent or very good, according to the report.

Two-thirds of respondents said they have excellent or very good health and 10 percent said their health was fair or poor.

Other census findings include:

• Americans are less likely to visit a dentist than a medical provider
• Visits become more likely the older a patient is
• 42 percent of Hispanics didn’t visit a doctor in the last year
• 92 percent of Americans didn’t stay overnight in a hospital
• 35 percent of Americans take prescription medication regularly
• 21 percent of uninsured adults in poor health had routine check-ups