NCHS: Share of 5 Major Reasons for Office-based Physician Visits by Age Group in 2018

  1. Injury: 5% of those under age 18; 6% of those ages 18-64; 5% of those age 65 and over
  2. Preventive care: 38% of those under age 18; 23% of those ages 18-64; 16% of those age 65 and over
  3. Chronic condition: 13% of those under age 18; 38% of those ages 18-64; 52% of those age 65 and over
  4. New problem: 43% of those under age 18; 22% of those ages 18-64; 18% of those ages 65 and over
  5. Pre- or post-surgery: 1% of those under age 18; 11% of those ages 18-64; 8% of those age 65 and over
Notes: An estimated 860.4 million office-based physician visits occurred in the United States in 2018. 6% of total visits were for injuries; 23% were for preventive care; 39% of were for chronic conditions; 24% were for new problems and 8% were pre- or post-surgery.

Source: NCHS Data Brief No. 408, National Center for Health Statistics/CDC, May 2021 - https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db408.htm