18% of U.S. Counties Are True Imaging Deserts, Leaving 6.4 Million Without Local Imaging Access

New research defines 'true imaging deserts': 18% of U.S. counties (6.4M people) have no local radiologists or scanners. 36% more have scanners but no local radiologists, relying on teleradiology.

• True imaging deserts (no local radiologist or scanners) cover 18% of U.S. counties, representing ~2% of the population (6.4 million people).
• Equipment-only deserts (scanners but no local radiologists) affect 36% of counties and 8% of the population (25.9 million), relying on teleradiology.
• Residents of true imaging deserts underwent 6% fewer imaging events and had 9% lower imaging spending compared to fully served counties.

Automated summary

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