Health articles
How many people skip medical treatment due to healthcare costs?
In 2025, dental care was the most frequently skipped form of medical care, with 18% of American adults forgoing treatment.
Just the Facts about US healthcare and the health of Americans
Americans have faced many health challenges in recent years, from opioid addiction to COVID-19. And accidental deaths are rising. So what does the government spend on health for its citizens?
How much is spent on personal healthcare in the US?
National spending on personal healthcare per person has increased 1,306% since 1980 — over three times faster than inflation. More than $4.5 trillion total was spent in 2024.
Does access to healthcare differ by race and ethnicity?
Adults in four groups — American Indian and Alaska Native, Black, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and Hispanic — report higher rates of fair or poor health than the national average.
Which states spend the most on healthcare?
On average, states spent $10,191 per person on goods and services directly related to patient care in 2020. New York, Alaska, and Massachusetts spent the most.
The state of healthcare at the end of 2020
Americans — and their government — are paying more for health insurance at a time of uneven health risks across demographic groups and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Are abortion pills banned in the US?
Mifepristone and other abortion pills are banned in 13 states, with few exceptions. They are legal in 37 states and Washington, DC.
How many nurses are there in the US?
In 2024, around 4.3 million people worked as nurses. That’s around 2.8% of all employed people, or about one in 36 employees nationally.
What does the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) do?
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is a subdivision of the Department of Health and Human Services responsible for administering the nation’s major healthcare programs including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The agency ensures that beneficiaries have access to high-quality healthcare services while also working to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery. It was established in 1965.
What does the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) do?
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is a subdivision of the US Department of Veterans Affairs responsible for providing comprehensive healthcare services to military veterans. The agency operates a nationwide system of medical centers, outpatient clinics, and specialized care facilities, offering services ranging from primary care to specialized treatments for conditions such as PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. It also conducts research and provides training for healthcare professionals. It was established in 1930.
How many people in the US get colorectal cancer?
About 148,000 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2022 and over 53,000 died in 2023.
How many people have died in the US military, and how?
Over 80% of active-duty military deaths since 1980 have come from accidents, illness, and suicides.
What is Medicaid and how many Americans use it? | Episode 2 of Just the Facts: Do You Qualify?
JUST THE FACTS · 7:15M
How much does Medicaid cost in the US?
A combined $894 billion in state and federal spending in fiscal year (FY) 2023, the most recent data available. That’s about $2,700 for every person living in the US. As a health insurance program for low-income individuals, Medicaid is jointly funded by both levels of government, with the federal government covering the larger share.
How many people are on Medicaid in the US?
On average, 88.2 million people or 26% of the US population were on Medicaid during FY 2024. Enrolling about 1 in 4 people in the US, Medicaid is one of the largest single health insurers in the country. Medicaid is a government-funded health insurance program that provides free or low-cost coverage to eligible low-income individuals and families, including children, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities.
How much is spent per Medicaid enrollee in the US?
Around $9,109 was spent per Medicaid enrollee in fiscal year (FY) 2023. That's 1% lower than in FY 2022. Adjusted for inflation, Medicaid spending per enrollee is at its lowest level since 1994. Spending primarily covers benefits, but administrative costs are also included.
How much money do doctors make in the US?
Doctors in 17 specialties earn at least $239,200 a year, but pay can swing by hundreds of thousands across states.
Which states have the highest cancer rates?
While cancer mortality has dropped across all states over the last 25 years, Kentucky topped the charts for new cases in 2022 and deaths in 2023.
What’s going on with ACA subsidies?
After temporary Affordable Care Act subsidies expired at the end of 2025, enrollees may face higher premiums in 2026.
Minnesota and Medicaid: What the data says
The federal government funded 69% of Medicaid costs as of 2023. In Minnesota, it covered 63% of the $19.2 billion spent.
How many Americans have been diagnosed with HIV?
In 2023, 38,793 people were newly diagnosed with HIV, with Black Americans, men, and young adults (ages 13–34) most impacted.
The Affordable Care Act and the data: Who is insured and who isn't
More than 45 million people had enrolled in ACA-related insurance plans as of early 2024.
Why have death rates from accidental falls tripled?
Since 2000, death rates from heart disease and cancer have declined, whereas deaths from accidental falls have increased threefold.
Who has health insurance? Are rates going up?
Young adults ages 19 to 25 are the most likely to be uninsured of any age group: 14.3% of them were uninsured in 2024.
How will the One Big Beautiful Bill Act impact Medicaid?
Work requirements and changes to state funding mechanisms are expected to impact federal Medicaid spending the most.
What is postpartum depression? Who’s most at-risk of developing it?
Feeling sad and anxious is common after having a baby, but nearly one in eight women in a CDC study experienced a more intense depressive episode.
How prepared is the US for COVID-19 and who's at risk?
As COVID-19 spreads throughout the country, we're tracking the top numbers to watch to best understand the virus's impact. How prepared are our hospitals? Who's at risk?
How does America care for the elderly?
In 2030, 73 million Americans — 21% of the population — will be 65 years or older.
How did STDs change during the pandemic?
STD screening fell during the first year of the pandemic, but rates of gonorrhea and syphilis increased.
How does poverty affect people’s mental and physical health?
Americans who are living in poverty report feelings of worry and anxiety at higher rates than average.
What is the crude death rate and how is it calculated?
The crude death rate helps researchers calculate overall mortality by measuring the number of deaths that occur over a period of time, per one thousand people.
How far into pregnancy do most abortions happen?
Nearly 93% of reported abortions happen before three and a half months of pregnancy.
How many people in the US receive care for HIV?
Just over four out of five HIV-positive people in the US receive medical treatment within one month of being diagnosed.
The $2 trillion CARES Act, a response to COVID-19, is equivalent to 45% of all 2019 federal spending
Learn about the individuals and industries who will benefit from the most recent Congressional action
What is the state of RSV in the United States?
RSV rates — which tend to climb in the fall and winter months — are highest for children under the age of five.
How many people in the United States suffer from allergies?
More than 50 million people in America have an allergy, with adult women, children, and those ages 45 to 64 disproportionately affected.
What are the leading causes of death by age?
Heart disease, cancer, and COVID-19 remain the leading causes of death among adults in the US.
What’s the state of telehealth after COVID-19?
At the beginning of the pandemic, telehealth visits increased from about 5 million to more than 53 million among Medicare recipients alone. 80% of physicians plan to continue using it.
How much do Americans binge drink?
According to the CDC, nearly one in six US adults binge drinks, with 25% doing so at least once per week.
How common are traumatic brain injuries in the US?
Every year, tens of thousands of Americans die or are hospitalized from traumatic brain injuries, with older adults, men, and young people at higher risk.