SALT LAKE CITY — University of Utah Health (U of U Health) drives economic activity in Utah while playing a central role in Utah’s health care system. A new report from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute reveals the extensive economic contributions and societal benefits of U of U Health and details the institution’s role in bolstering the state’s economy through employment, healthcare, education, and research.
“As the state’s only academic health system, U of U Health provides patient care, workforce training, research, and community engagement that support Utahns’ health and the state’s economy,” said Andrea Brandley, senior education analyst at the Gardner Institute and lead author of the report. “The findings highlight U of U Health’s far-reaching contributions to Utah through its clinical operations, workforce development, research enterprise, and community partnerships.”
“This report shows that improving health and strengthening communities also creates significant economic value for Utah,” said says Bob Carter, MD, PhD, executive vice president for health sciences and CEO of University of Utah Health. “It reflects the collective efforts of our faculty, staff, students, and providers, whose work supports the health, well-being, and prosperity of the communities we serve.”
Key findings from the report include the following:
Employment – U of U Health serves as a major employer in the state, providing nearly 31,000 jobs in FY 2024 across its hospitals and clinics, health-related schools and colleges, and component units. The University of Utah, including U of U Health, employs the second-largest workforce in the state. When considering indirect and induced effects, U of U Health supports nearly 70,000 jobs in Utah, representing 2.9% of jobs statewide.
Economic Activity – U of U Health supported $5.6 billion in earnings, $7.6 billion in gross domestic product (GDP), and $13.7 billion in output (total sales) in Utah in FY 2024. This accounts for about 3.6% of earnings, 2.7% of GDP, and 2.7% of total output statewide, respectively.
Research – U of U Health conducts leading research that advances medical knowledge and improves patient outcomes. It received $492 million in research funding in FY 2024, most of which came from federal sources and brought new resources into Utah. Findings from FY 2025 data show this figure now exceeds $520 million, supporting high-skilled jobs and contributing to innovation in areas such as cancer, genetics, neuroscience, and population health.
Patient Care – U of U Health provided approximately 2.5 million patient visits in FY 2024, serving patients across Utah and the Mountain West. Its clinical operations improve access to high-quality and specialized care while generating significant economic activity.
Education – As an academic health system, U of U Health plays a central role in preparing Utah’s health care workforce. The system trains approximately two-thirds of the state’s physicians and educates thousands of students across its health sciences programs each year, supporting the state’s growing demand for health professionals.
Community Engagement – U of U Health expands access to care and improves community health through initiatives such as mental health supports and chronic disease prevention services for underserved populations. U of U Health provided $118 million in charitable care in FY 2024.
The full report is now available online.
ABOUT THE KEM C. GARDNER POLICY INSTITUTE
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute serves Utah by preparing economic, demographic, and public policy research that helps the state prosper. We are Utah’s demographic experts, leaders on the Utah economy, and specialists on public policy and survey research. We are an honest broker of INFORMED RESEARCH, which guides INFORMED DISCUSSIONS, and leads to INFORMED DECISIONS™. For more information, visit gardner.utah.edu.
ABOUT UNIVERSITY OF UTAH HEALTH
University of Utah Health is Utah’s only academic medical center and provides patient care for the people of Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, western Colorado, and much of Nevada. It is also a Tier 1 research institution and serves as the training ground for scientists and the majority of the state’s physicians, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, dentists, and other health care professionals.
ABOUT THE DAVID ECCLES SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Founded in 1917, the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah is dedicated to driving student success through academic rigor, immersive real-world learning, and strong career outcomes. Located in one of the nation’s most dynamic regions for business and entrepreneurship, the school is shaped by a distinctive Mountain West ethos of growth, grit, and ambition. At the Eccles School, students don’t just earn a degree or learn business — they live it. Through a rigorous, integrated curriculum led by renowned faculty and hands-on experiences that translate knowledge into practice, graduates develop strong business fundamentals, durable skills, mindset, and confidence to lead with integrity and create impact across industries and communities. The school’s centers and institutes serve as a bridge between academics and the business community, connecting students to real-world opportunities while advancing applied research and partnerships that contribute to business and society. Learn more at eccles.utah.edu .