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Updated: Jun 1, 2026
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Published on: August 8, 2019
Ambulatory medical care utilization estimates for 2007
Susan M Schappert1, Elizabeth A Rechtsteiner
1Division of Health Statistics, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, Hyattsville, MD 20782, USA.
Summary
In 2007, Americans made 1.2 billion ambulatory care visits, with non-illness visits and medication use remaining stable. A notable increase in medical specialty visits occurred over the decade.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Epidemiology
- Biostatistics
Background:
- Ambulatory care is a critical component of the U.S. healthcare system.
- Understanding trends in ambulatory care utilization is essential for resource allocation and policy development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present comprehensive statistics on ambulatory care visits in the United States for 2007.
- To describe ambulatory medical care utilization by patient, provider, and visit characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Combined data from the 2007 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS).
- Generated annual estimates of ambulatory medical care utilization.
Main Results:
- An estimated 1.2 billion ambulatory care visits occurred in 2007, with a rate of 405.0 visits per 100 persons.
- Visit rates did not significantly differ from 2006, but visit distribution varied by poverty level.
- Over the decade (1997-2007), the age-adjusted visit rate increased 11%, driven by specialty care; non-illness visits were common, and 70% of visits involved medication.
Conclusions:
- Ambulatory care utilization remained high in 2007, with stable overall rates compared to 2006.
- Trends indicate a shift towards specialty care and a significant increase in vaccine administration.
- Poverty level influences the choice of ambulatory care setting, highlighting access disparities.
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