State Variation in Preventive Care Visits, by Patient Characteristics, 2012

Preventive care visits such as general medical examinations, prenatal visits, and well-baby visits give physicians and other health professionals the opportunity to screen for diseases or conditions, as well as to promote healthy behaviors that may delay or prevent these conditions and reduce subsequent use of emergency or inpatient care.

In an NCHS report, the rate of preventive care visits to office-based physicians is examined by state, patient demographics, and physician specialty. Estimates are based on data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, a nationally representative survey of visits to office-based physicians.

Findings:

• In 2012, 61.4 preventive care visits were made to office-based physicians per 100 persons. The female rate (76.6 visits per 100 females) exceeded the male rate (45.4 visits per 100 males) by 69%.
• Among the 34 most populous states, the rate of preventive care visits exceeded the national rate in 1 state (Connecticut) and was lower than the national rate in 11 states (Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Washington).
• The rate of preventive care visits to primary care physicians in the 34 most populous states exceeded the national rate in 1 state (Connecticut) and was lower than the national rate in 7 states (Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Washington).