More U.S. hospitals are closing than opening, and the pace of closures increases over time, according to a study led by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The research finds that closure rates in urban areas are statistically similar to those in rural areas.
Across the sources, the study reports that between 2010 and 2025 there are more acute hospital closures than openings nationally, with closures accelerating while openings slow. Outlets also highlight that hospitals more likely to close include those serving socially vulnerable communities, often described as safety-net hospitals. One report adds that closure rates generally increase for safety-net facilities and for-profit hospitals. The findings frame hospital closures as a broader trend affecting different geographic settings rather than a problem confined to rural communities.
