The USA is famous for many things, Hollywood, film and pop icons and big brands. But what is it like in terms of healthcare market research? Rina Valeny presents a pocket guide of key facts surrounding healthcare market research in the USA.
Rina Valeny 
26 Jan, 2010
BHI Pocket Guides: USA
More than twice the size of the European Union, the USA is the land of the ‘star spangled banner’ that has pioneered a countless number of trends, products and international stars during the post war period: from Hollywood blockbusters (Gone with the Wind and Star Wars) and pop icons (Presley and Jackson) to huge consumer brands (Microsoft, Apple, Nike).
However, in recent years the USA’s healthcare system has fared less well and it has come under much scrutiny. In 2000 the US healthcare system was ranked 37th in the world by the World Health Organisation, much lower than nations such as Morocco, Columbia and most of the EU. Moreover, the rising cost of American healthcare to both individuals and the state has provoked much debate and led to the recent creation of Obama’s healthcare reform bill. As such healthcare is now a key feature of America’s political, social and economic agenda and it is likely to remain this way for some time to come.
Top 5 Facts about American Healthcare:
System Type/Funding: The national healthcare service in
the USA is split between public healthcare schemes which provide basic healthcare
coverage (e.g. Medicaid, Medicare, the State Children’s Health Insurance Programme
and the Veteran’s Health Administration), and private insurance schemes. However
a substantial number of Americans are either uninsured or ‘under-insured’.
Healthcare spend % of GDP: 16.6%
Average life expectancy:
White Male: 75.4 White Female: 80.5
Black Male: 69.2
Black Female: 76.1
Fertility Rate: 2.1
Population: 301,967,681 approx.
| No. of Hospitals: 5,747 No. of PCPs: 203,000 | |||
| Approx No. of Consultants Across the USA | |||
| Cardiologists | 24,000 | Dermatologists | 10,500 |
| Endocrinologists | 4,400 | Gastroenterologists | 11,300 |
| Neurologists | 13,500 | Obs/Gynae | 40,500 |
| Oncologists | 5,500 | Ophthalmologists | 19,000 |
| Paediatricians | 52,500 | Psychiatrists | 44,000 |
| Rheumatologists | 4,000 | Urologists | 10,000 |
Market Research in the USA
Market research in the USA is well established and the country has a number of market research facilities that recruit and interview respondents for healthcare / pharmaceutical research. For a detailed list of facilities that are situated in the top 30 US cities (by metropolitan statistical area) please click on the following US regional map:
Population = Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)
Population
Facilities = Facilities recruiting and conducting pharmaceutical
research
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