The Value of Primary Care
Invest now. Save in the future.
There is abundant evidence that family physicians deliver care that produces results people and policymakers want. Leaders have a growing interest in using their legislative and regulatory authority to measure primary care spending and have in some states set targets for increasing investment in primary care over the coming years within their jurisdictions.
Family medicine and physician-led primary care are associated with:
- Better health outcomes
- Lower costs
- Lower mortality
- Increases in health equity & equity of access
- Fewer heart disease and cancer deaths
- Reduced low birthweight and infant mortality
- Longer life expectancy
- Fewer Emergency Department visits
- Fewer hospital admissions and readmissions
- Increased workforce participation
- Decreased workforce absenteeism
- Improved workforce productivity
- Improved mental health outcomes
- Greater medication/prescription adherence
- Increased vaccinations/immunizations
- Increased preventative screenings
