by American Academy of Family Physicians

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This study, based on an online survey of 1,135 adults demographically representative of the U.S. population, aimed to measure public perceptions of primary care spending.

The research is published in The Annals of Family Medicine journal.

Respondents believed that 51.8% of overall health care spending goes to primary care—more than 10 times the documented share of 4.7%. Additionally, respondents believed that primary care addresses 58.7% of health care needs, very close to actual primary care utilization as a percentage of all ambulatory physician visits in the United States (50.3%).

Chronic underinvestment in primary care has resulted in workforce shortages, physician burnout, reduced access, and suboptimal care. Access to high-quality primary care has been associated with better population health and more equitable outcomes.

More information: Melissa Ma et al, The General Public Vastly Overestimates Primary Care Spending in the United States, The Annals of Family Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1370/afm.240413

Journal information:Annals of Family Medicine

Provided by American Academy of Family Physicians

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