Mortality rates lower in areas with more primary care physicians

Editor's Note

Communities in the US with more primary care physicians had lower mortality rates than those with fewer physicians, this study finds.

Results showed a:

• 51.5 day increase in life expectancy for every 10 additional primary care physicians per 100,000 people
• 19.2 day increase in life expectancy for every additional 10 specialist physicians per 100,000 people
• 0.9% to 1.4% lower mortality from cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and respiratory diseases for every 10 additional primary care physicians per 100,000 people.

Programs to direct more resources to primary care physician supply may be important for population health, the researchers say.