Vital and Health Statistics: Utilization of Ambulatory Medical Care by Women: United States, 1997-98

Abstract

Approximately 500 million visits were made by women to ambulatory medical care providers annually in 1997 and 1998, representing an age-adjusted rate of 4.6 visits per woman per year. The rate of ambulatory medical care visits increased with age (3.8 per woman 15-44 years of age, 4.7 visits per woman 45-64 years of age, and 7.1 visits per woman 65 years of age and over). Six out of ten visits to office-based physicians and hospital outpatient departments had no mention of therapeutic or preventive services provided. Nonnarcotic analgesics, antidepressant, and estrogen/progestin were the three most common classifications of medications mentioned. Compared with visits by men, visits by women (with nonpregnancy-related diagnoses) were more frequent at younger ages and more likely to be to primary care physicians and outpatient departments.