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1
Infectious diseases account for 5-15% of annual deaths in the U.S., with COVID-19 being a leading cause of mortality from 2020 to 2022.
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2
The U.S. has approximately 14,000 ID physicians, representing less than 1% of the physician workforce, with many counties lacking ID specialists.
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3
ID specialists improve healthcare outcomes by reducing hospital stays and costs, while also serving critical roles in public health and disease surveillance.
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4
Low salaries, high EHR burdens, and immigration barriers contribute to the decline of the ID workforce, discouraging recruitment and retention.
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5
Political threats and harassment against public health workers further disincentivize careers in infectious diseases, impacting healthcare systems.
