Figure 1 is a pie chart showing the estimated number and percentage of U.S. adults affected by a medical product shortage. 18% of U.S. adults reported being affected by a medical product shortage, while 82% reported not being affected by a medical product shortage. That translates to about 39 million U.S. adults affected by medical product shortages and 173 million who weren't affected by shortages.

Figure 1Estimated Number and Percentage of U.S. Adults Reporting Being Directly Affected by a Medical Product Shortage

Notes: We define “any shortage” as a respondent who reported being impacted by at least one type of shortage (prescription, over-the-counter, device, other). In calculating “any shortage,” respondents experiencing multiple shortages are only counted once. The “any shortage” number represents the average number of respondents experiencing any shortage within the last month across the three survey waves administered during August-October 2023.

Source: ASPE analysis of the Household Pulse Survey for August–October 2023.

From: Medical Product Shortages in the United States: Demographic and Geographic Factors and Impacts

Cover of Medical Product Shortages in the United States: Demographic and Geographic Factors and Impacts
Medical Product Shortages in the United States: Demographic and Geographic Factors and Impacts: Issue Brief [Internet].
Beleche T, Kolbe A.
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