The Critical Shortage of Iodinated Contrast Material — Will Value Prevail?

This perspective addresses the critical shortage of iodinated contrast material in the U.S. due to supply-chain disruptions from China, which reduced availability by 80%. The authors highlight how this crisis exposes the systemic overuse of low-value imaging and underscores the need for value-based care. They propose interventions like guideline implementation, clinical decision support, and dose-reduction technologies to prioritize essential imaging. The shortage also risks exacerbating health disparities, as marginalized populations often receive more low-value care. The authors advocate for systemic reforms, including medicolegal changes and cultural shifts in medicine, to promote equitable and sustainable resource allocation.

This perspective addresses the critical shortage of iodinated contrast material in the U.S. due to supply-chain disruptions from China, which reduced availability by 80%. The authors highlight how this crisis exposes the systemic overuse of low-value imaging and underscores the need for value-based care. They propose interventions like guideline implementation, clinical decision support, and dose-reduction technologies to prioritize essential imaging. The shortage also risks exacerbating health disparities, as marginalized populations often receive more low-value care. The authors advocate for systemic reforms, including medicolegal changes and cultural shifts in medicine, to promote equitable and sustainable resource allocation.