Medical Travel Statistics

The statistics for individuals willing to travel for medical care are incredible. I just found this artile that I thought was very intesting. To use some of the quoted figures:

"The number of Americans who would consider going abroad for treatment is a subject that comes up regularly. Many people who talk figures are only using wild guesses. Others rely on dubious research, designed to guarantee an answer that supports their sales pitch. The research trade calls these loaded questions ‘when did you stop beating your wife’ questions. This year we have two new independent surveys, not commissioned by anyone in medical tourism, but by top international researchers. The most recent is from Gallup. Results are based on telephone interviews in April 2009 with 5050 adults
the Gallup Poll found that up to 29% of Americans would consider travelling abroad for major medical problems. 24% would seek cancer diagnosis and treatment abroad. Americans are less likely to say they would consider travelling abroad for hip or knee replacement (15%), heart bypass surgery (14%), or cosmetic surgery (10%).
When the same question was asked, but on an assumption that costs are cheaper and the quality of treatment equivalent to the USA, the percentage prepared to travel increased to:
40% major medical problems
37% cancer diagnosis/treatment
27% hip or knee replacement
27% heart bypass surgery
20% cosmetic surgery
Asking the above of people with no health insurance increased to:
51% major medical problems
46% cancer diagnosis/treatment
41% hip or knee replacement
36% heart bypass surgery
30% cosmetic surgery

People in the Midwest are the least willing to consider obtaining treatments outside the country; those in the West are the most willing. Southerners are also below average in their willingness to obtain treatments outside the country, with the exception of hip or knee replacement.
The data suggest the 50 million Americans without health insurance are motivated by costs and would be more likely than those with health insurance to consider seeking medical care abroad. A sizable minority of Americans view th healthcare diagnosis and treatment available beyond national borders as something they would consider using."

To see the full article, go to the International Medical Travel Journal at:

http://www.imtjonline.com/articles/2009/americans-going-abroad-medical-care/