Part 7/9:
Access to healthcare also plays a vital role in these trends. The U.S. has among the lowest rates of physician visits and practicing physicians per capita relative to other countries. The statistics show only 4 visits per person annually compared to the OECD average of 5.7. This implies not just inadequate access but also a potential lack of preventive care, leading to a population that seeks treatment only after conditions have worsened.