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Study shows elderly ER visits could double over next five years

Hospitalist Leadership Connection, December 12, 2007

A new study published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine says that between 1993 and 2003, emergency room (ER) visits by people aged 65 to 74 increased by 34%, which is faster than any other age group. Experts predict an even bigger crunch on ERs in the next 10 years as the baby boomer generation comes to make up this elderly age group. Some are predicting a doubling of ER volume by this group.

Another key finding from this study was the growing gap in the amount of ER visits by elderly black and white men and women. During this study, visits by elderly black men and women increased by 93% (77 people per 100), while visits by elderly white men and women increased by 26% (36 people per 100).

To read more about this study, click here.

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