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A new survey from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center reveals a dangerous gap in American healthcare: one in seven people lack a primary care doctor, and one in three have skipped an annual checkup in the past year.
For editors looking for compelling health information, this story highlights Grant Bunting, a Type 2 diabetes patient whose blood sugar spiked and he landed in an 11-day coma. After he connected with a personalized primary care team, he was able to make lifestyle changes. Family Medicine Physician Dr. Zachary Bittinger explains the role of a primary care physician in leading the health transformation of patients like Bunting.
“There’s nobody that’s in your corner more than your primary doctor,” says Dr. Bittinger. He emphasizes that regular checkups catch hidden risks early—from outdated vaccines to critical cancer screenings—and establish life-saving accountability.
This timely story tackles a widespread public health issue while providing practical guidance on how primary care teams help patients navigate everyday lifestyle changes or manage complex medical crises.
