Americans are sicker than ever — and getting sicker. But even more disturbing is the lack of physicians available to treat them.
I’m not talking about general practitioners, although statistics show that these doctors are also under pressure. I’m specifically referring to the specialist doctors who treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
The US Health Resources and Services Administration estimates we will need more than 19,000 new physicians to address changing patient needs and demographics. For autoimmune and inflammatory specialists, the American College of Rheumatology estimates that demand will outpace supply by 102% by 2030.
The question is, what do we do to stem the tide? And is there anything we can do to address its underlying cause?
Where are all the doctors?
Statisticians have been theorizing a physician shortage for decades, as Americans are living longer, but not necessarily healthier (i.e., have a short healthspan).
But entering into the latter half of the 2020s, it’s clear we’re well past the theory stage.
Dr. Daniel Battafarano explains this well:
“I would say the primary problem is, we don’t have an adequate number of rheumatologists in the United States. [And] here in rural America, there’s [sic] not many doctors, so access to care can be a problem.”
Case in point, a whopping 72% of the nation’s counties do not have active rheumatologists. This is especially impactful in rural America. This leaves around one in five Americans to live in a specialty healthcare desert.
To make matters worse, wait times are climbing as more and more people get diagnosed with inflammatory diseases. The average wait time for a new patient ranges from six months to a year. This forces patients to suffer with discomfort, pain, and a low quality of life for a significant amount of time.
It doesn’t help that autoimmune and inflammatory diseases are growing significantly year over year worldwide. This suggests the shortage is about to get worse, unless far fewer people require speciality care.
How do we fix America’s rheumatologist shortage?
Some organizations suggest fixing payor/payee structures, which affects how much doctors get paid by insurance companies. That’s one of the primary reasons why rheumatology isn’t nearly as lucrative a career as other healthcare positions, like surgery or oncology.
Other solutions, like uncapping residency training spots, would allow more rheumatologists to complete their training within these specialty settings.
But in my mind, there’s a major component to this we’re not yet addressing. And if we did, we could significantly reduce the number of people needing care in the first place.
If we can address the root cause of these autoimmune diseases, we can have fewer people suffering from them, thereby reducing this doctor shortage.
I realize this is much easier said than done. It means equipping our existing general physicians and the general public with the information they need to avoid the onset of autoimmune diseases.
But keep in mind this information isn’t just prophylactic. Contrary to popular belief, autoimmune diseases can and are regularly managed and reversed.
That’s why I’m on such a mission to spread the news to doctors and patients, and equip them with the knowledge they need to succeed.
Namely, this includes:
Removing seed oil and refined sugar from your diet
There is a huge amount of research indicating the connection between autoimmune disease and seed oil, as well as sugar and inflammation. For this reason, you’ll want to eliminate your intake of both or at least make it as minimal as possible.
You might notice that both seed and vegetable oils, as well as sugar, exist primarily in processed food. As a result, I highly recommend avoiding ultra-processed foods entirely and opting for a diet of whole, real foods instead.
Always check the ingredients label and remember to learn some of the most common marketing lingo to avoid alternative names for sugar and seed oils.
Building an exercise routine
Exercise naturally produces an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. Whether you actively suffer from autoimmune disease or are simply worried about your risk factors, building a routine that works for you can have a significant effect on pain relief and energy.
(Safely) intermittent fasting
Research shows that fasting results in autophagy, or the biological process of clearing up dead and damaged cells. A regular fasting schedule can substantially improve autoimmune conditions, as well as positively affect the gut microbiota, which plays a significant role in immune function.
The key is making sure you’re approaching intermittent fasting safely.
Learn more about building your own fasting routine.
Eliminating exposure to heavy metals
Heavy metal exposure via pesticides, certain household cleaners, and ‘dirty’ beauty products can dramatically disrupt proper immune function. As a result, you’re more likely to experience an autoimmune disease.
Avoiding those primary sources is a good first start. Organic produce, as well as cleaner household products and beauty brands, can help you avoid the bulk of this. But you can also consider better filtering for your water source, which can greatly reduce its heavy metal burden.
Playing your part in reducing the doctor shortage
Again, the easiest way to improve access to inflammatory and autoimmune care is simply to be cognizant of avoidable diagnoses, or in other words, being proactive. But in some cases, you may be able to manage or moderate an existing condition.
Here are some resources to help you learn more about managing the effects of autoimmune disease: