In 2021, older adults in the United States were more likely than comparable countries to forgo a doctor's visit or medical tests/treatment due to cost. The difference between the U.S. and other countries is not as pronounced among elderlies because of the federal Medicare program. However, the issue of affordability of health care is much worse among adults under 65 years in the U.S. as it is the only one among the 11 surveyed countries without universal health insurance.
This statistic presents the percentage of adults aged 65 and older who skipped doctor visit or medical test/treatment due to cost in the past year in select high-income countries in 2021.
Percentage of adults aged 65 and older who skipped doctor visit or medical test/treatment due to cost in the past year in select high-income countries in 2021
Characteristic
Did not consult/visit a doctor when had a because of the cost
Skipped a medical test or treatment because of the cost
All respondents: 18,477 adults age 65 and older across 11 countries: Australia (501), Canada (4,332), France (1,751), Germany (1,163), Netherlands (630), New Zealand (500), Norway (500), Sweden (3,018), Switzerland (2,597), United Kingdom (1,876), United States (1,609).
Sample size for Norway was <100, and therefore results are not shown here.
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Commonwealth Fund. (October 1, 2021). Percentage of adults aged 65 and older who skipped doctor visit or medical test/treatment due to cost in the past year in select high-income countries in 2021 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 30, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1290721/forgoing-health-care-due-to-costs-among-older-adults-worldwide/
Commonwealth Fund. "Percentage of adults aged 65 and older who skipped doctor visit or medical test/treatment due to cost in the past year in select high-income countries in 2021 ." Chart. October 1, 2021. Statista. Accessed December 30, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1290721/forgoing-health-care-due-to-costs-among-older-adults-worldwide/
Commonwealth Fund. (2021). Percentage of adults aged 65 and older who skipped doctor visit or medical test/treatment due to cost in the past year in select high-income countries in 2021 . Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 30, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1290721/forgoing-health-care-due-to-costs-among-older-adults-worldwide/
Commonwealth Fund. "Percentage of Adults Aged 65 and Older Who Skipped Doctor Visit or Medical Test/Treatment Due to Cost in The past Year in Select High-income Countries in 2021 ." Statista, Statista Inc., 1 Oct 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1290721/forgoing-health-care-due-to-costs-among-older-adults-worldwide/
Commonwealth Fund, Percentage of adults aged 65 and older who skipped doctor visit or medical test/treatment due to cost in the past year in select high-income countries in 2021 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1290721/forgoing-health-care-due-to-costs-among-older-adults-worldwide/ (last visited December 30, 2024)
Percentage of adults aged 65 and older who skipped doctor visit or medical test/treatment due to cost in the past year in select high-income countries in 2021 [Graph], Commonwealth Fund, October 1, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1290721/forgoing-health-care-due-to-costs-among-older-adults-worldwide/
