Leading problems in healthcare system U.S. 2023 | Statista (2024)

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Oct 25, 2023

A 2023 survey found that over half of U.S. individuals indicated the cost of accessing treatment was the biggest problem facing the national healthcare system. This is much higher than the global average of 31 percent and is in line with the high cost of health care in the U.S. compared to other high-income countries. Bureaucracy along with a lack of staff were also considered to be pressing issues.This statistic reveals the share of individuals who said select problems were the biggest facing the health care system in the United States in 2023.

Share of individuals who said select problems were the biggest facing the health care system in the United States in 2023

CharacteristicPercentage of respondents
Cost of accessing treatment54%
Not enough staff34%
Access to treatment/long waiting times27%
Bureaucracy21%
Poor quality treatment19%
Ageing population16%
Lack of investment in preventative health16%
Lack of choice11%
Lack of investment8%
Poor safety6%
Low standards of cleanliness5%

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Leading problems in healthcare system U.S. 2023 | Statista (2024)

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Leading problems in healthcare system U.S. 2023 | Statista? ›

Lack of insurance coverage, high costs, and poor outcomes are well-documented problems in the US health care system, and policies to address them have been hotly debated for decades. However, complexity is another underappreciated problem that hinders access and affordability and is more difficult to quantify.

What is the biggest problem with the US healthcare system? ›

Lack of insurance coverage, high costs, and poor outcomes are well-documented problems in the US health care system, and policies to address them have been hotly debated for decades. However, complexity is another underappreciated problem that hinders access and affordability and is more difficult to quantify.

What is the biggest healthcare issue today? ›

So, let's hop on a journey to explore the 7 biggest challenges of the healthcare industry!
  • Rising Costs of Healthcare Services.
  • Financial Challenges for Providers.
  • Shortage of Healthcare Professionals.
  • The Need for Improved Mental Health Systems.
  • Increased Demand for Personalized Care.
  • Big Data and Cybersecurity Issues.

What is the greatest healthcare challenge that the United States faces? ›

Provider shortages: The healthcare industry faces a significant shortage of qualified professionals to deliver care. The Association of American Medical Colleges has projected a total shortage of between 37,800 and 124,000 physicians by 2034.

What makes changing the healthcare system in the US so difficult? ›

“The prospect of changing the health care system generates resistance because there are huge economic interests vested in the current structure: pharmaceutical, construction, equipment, information technology. It is the largest sector of the U.S. economy and 10 percent of the global economy.

What is the biggest health issue in the US? ›

Heart disease and stroke still the leading causes of death for both U.S. men and women. NIH-funded scientists currently are looking to the power of precision medicine to better understand and manage these disorders.

What is one of the challenges facing the U.S. health care system? ›

Physician shortages are a lingering issue, especially in rural areas. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the U.S. will be short 124,000 physicians by 2034. Many providers use healthcare staffing agencies to fill positions, but it comes with a cost.

What are the three major issues in healthcare? ›

The biggest challenges for healthcare executives and decision-makers
  • Challenge 1: Financial limitations. ...
  • Challenge 2: Availability of a skilled workforce. ...
  • Challenge 3: Implementing new technology.
Oct 5, 2021

How do you answer what is the biggest issue in healthcare? ›

How to Answer “What is the Biggest Healthcare Problem” During an Interview
  • Include Facts and Figures to Support Your Opinion.
  • Discuss a Potential Solution for the Healthcare Problem.
  • Preparation for Your Interview to Demonstrate Confidence.

What is the #1 healthcare emerging topic today? ›

1. Telehealth and telemedicine. One of the most noted emerging healthcare trends in recent years, telehealth refers to a broad scope of remote healthcare services — even a phone call! It encompasses telemedicine, which involves the remote delivery of clinical services.

What is the most significant challenge facing the healthcare industry today? ›

Major Challenges Facing the Healthcare Industry Today
  • Cybersecurity Threats.
  • Telehealth Implementation.
  • Invoicing and Payments.
  • Price Transparency Mandate.
  • IT Healthcare Investments.
  • Patient Experience.
  • Effective Payment Models.
  • Healthcare Staffing Shortages.

What is the cause of most health problems today? ›

The most common health issues are physical inactivity and food, obesity, tobacco, substance abuse, AIDS, mental health, falling and injury, environmental quality, immunization, and healthcare access. These all-personal health issues require attention to improve the quality of life and keep you free from diseases.

Why are healthcare outcomes so poor in the US? ›

The conditions that cause poor health, such as high levels of economic inequality and precarity, alongside limited safety net schemes and social support systems, are seen in every aspect of the lives of children and teenagers in the US.

What is the biggest problem facing our healthcare system? ›

A 2023 survey found that over half of U.S. individuals indicated the cost of accessing treatment was the biggest problem facing the national healthcare system. This is much higher than the global average of 31 percent and is in line with the high cost of health care in the U.S. compared to other high-income countries.

What are four main healthcare problems in America? ›

8 Major Problems With the U.S. Healthcare System
  • Preventable Medical Errors. ...
  • Poor Amenable Mortality Rates. ...
  • Lack of Transparency. ...
  • Difficulty Finding a Good Doctor.

How is the U.S. health care system broken? ›

According to Harvard Health, “The current U.S. health care system has a cruel tendency to delay or deny high-quality care to those who are most in need of it but can least afford its high cost. This contributes to avoidable health care disparities for people of color and other disadvantaged groups.”

Why does the US healthcare market system fail? ›

' Sources of market failure in the health care industry are identified as: 1) lack of competition; 2) insufficient information; 3) inadequate access to health care services; 4) presence of externalities; and 5) a persistent disequilibrium in the hospital, physicians, and nurses markets.

When did healthcare become a problem in the US? ›

It was in 1938, she argues, that the structural problems with the U.S. health care system began. In order to understand why 1938 is the key year, it helps to understand how people paid for and thought about health care before that point.

What are major issues in the United States? ›

  • Anti-Corruption and Transparency.
  • Arms Control and Nonproliferation.
  • Climate and Environment.
  • Climate Crisis.
  • Combating Drugs and Crime.
  • Countering Terrorism.
  • Cyber Issues.
  • Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy.

How can the US healthcare system be improved? ›

Educate the Public About Multiple Health Care Sites

Paradoxically, many other patients seek emergency care when it is not necessary, due to a lack of awareness about less costly care facilities. Patients need better education about where they can — and should — seek care, depending on their symptoms.

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