DIY Medicine

With health care becoming increasingly decentralized, the trend of DIY medicine is gaining momentum. In the U.K., where general practitioner shortages have left many patients without access to timely care, individuals are turning to DIY treatments. Homemade remedies for skin cancer and at-home abortions have become more common, though these unregulated treatments present significant health risks. In the U.S., self-managed abortions have increased significantly since the Dobbs ruling, raising concerns about access to safe and regulated medical care.

The growth of a more decentralized approach to medicine signals major disruption to an established industry that currently plays a central role in many communities. Planners should be aware of potential longer-term disruptions and associated impacts at the local level. Strategies may include planning for emerging health-care solutions, such as telemedicine hubs or mobile health clinics, to ensure patients in underserved areas have access to professional medical care.