Doctor checking patient's blood pressure.
Health
Stacker Studio

Hawaii, Wyoming lead the country in primary care doctor shortages

Written by:
Martha Sandoval
April 5, 2023
Canva

This story originally appeared on Sana and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.

Hawaii, Wyoming lead the country in primary care doctor shortages

The United States is short more than 17,000 primary care doctors—a number almost as high as the deficit in dental and mental health professionals combined.

A variety of factors have led to the worsening shortage. The high cost and time commitment required to become a doctor, an aging population outpacing the number of doctors entering the field, and burnout stemming from long hours and understaffed facilities rank high among them.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth grew exponentially for first-time consultations and follow-ups. Even with most lockdowns and social restrictions having ended, telehealth remains a viable option for outpatient consultations and pre-office evaluations largely because it's easier and more convenient to access than having to commute to a doctor's office.

In addition to telehealth, some areas offer programs designed to help fill the medical needs gap. According to the National Association of Community Health Centers, there has been a significant increase in mobile health clinics—clinics that travel into underserved communities to see patients—since 2019. Moreover, Congress' passage of the MOBILE Healthcare Act in 2022 paves the way for even more mobile clinics by allowing qualified providers to use federal money to fund them. But despite this and other initiatives, some 99 million people live in areas—both rural and urban—where there is insufficient access to primary medical care. 

Sana compiled 2022 data from the Health Resources and Services Administration and Census Bureau to determine how many people in each state live in geographic Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) that specifically lack primary care facilities. States are ranked by the share of their total populations that live in geographic shortage areas and high-need geographic shortage areas—those with higher-than-average needs for care that have a doctor-to-patient ratio of 3000-to-1 or higher. Washington D.C., New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, and Vermont did not have reported shortage areas.

Read on to see where your state stands.

The Pittsburgh skyline as viewed from the hills.
1 / 46
Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#46. Pennsylvania

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 0.18% (23,676 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 0.14% (17,697 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 0.05% (5,979 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 38.98% live in rural communities

Building, boats, and docks at old harbor in Newport.
2 / 46
Ramunas Bruzas // Shutterstock

#45. Rhode Island

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 0.35% (3,778 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: None
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 0.35% (3,778 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 100.00% live in rural communities

A night view of buildings along a river in Wichita.
3 / 46
Canva

#44. Kansas

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 1.08% (31,715 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: None
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 1.08% (31,715 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 100.00% live in rural communities

An aerial view of downtown Boston at dusk.
4 / 46
Canva

#43. Massachusetts

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 1.55% (108,326 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: None
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 1.55% (108,326 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 53.34% live in rural communities

An aerial view of Boca Raton's coastline.
5 / 46
FotosForTheFuture // Shutterstock

#42. Florida

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 1.60% (355,091 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 0.49% (109,510 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 1.10% (245,581 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 77.13% live in rural communities

A cityscape view of Lower Manhattan in New York CIty.
6 / 46
GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock

#41. New York

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 1.67% (328,400 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: None
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 1.67% (328,400 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 14.33% live in rural communities

The waterfront with ferry's docked in Portland.
7 / 46
Canva

#40. Maine

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 1.80% (24,921 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 0.25% (3,492 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 1.55% (21,429 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 100.00% live in rural communities

Portland at sunset with a mountain in the background.
8 / 46
Canva

#39. Oregon

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 1.94% (82,448 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 0.11% (4,629 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 1.84% (77,819 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 34.08% live in rural communities

Train tracks as seen outside Omaha at night.
9 / 46
Canva

#38. Nebraska

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 1.98% (38,914 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: None
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 1.98% (38,914 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 35.06% live in rural communities

Buildings along U.S. Route 66 in Oklahoma.
10 / 46
TLF Images // Shutterstock

#37. Oklahoma

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 2.39% (96,144 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 1.06% (42,705 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 1.33% (53,439 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 100.00% live in rural communities

An aerial view of Charlotte on a sunny day.
11 / 46
Canva

#36. North Carolina

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 2.67% (285,785 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 0.50% (53,884 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 2.17% (231,901 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 38.90% live in rural communities

An aerial view of downtown Denver on a sunny day.
12 / 46
Canva

#35. Colorado

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 3.15% (184,059 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: None
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 3.15% (184,059 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 72.18% live in rural communities

Cars driving down Capitol Boulevard in Boise.
13 / 46
Canva

#34. Idaho

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 3.87% (75,084 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 0.59% (11,385 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 3.29% (63,699 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 100.00% live in rural communities

Downtown Ogden as seen at night.
14 / 46
Canva

#33. Utah

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 3.96% (133,923 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 0.05% (1,831 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 3.91% (132,092 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 100.00% live in rural communities

A scenic suburb in Ozark.
15 / 46
Trong Nguyen // Shutterstock

#32. Arkansas

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 4.19% (127,586 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 2.33% (71,032 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 1.86% (56,554 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 100.00% live in rural communities

An aerial view of Iowa City on a sunny day.
16 / 46
Canva

#31. Iowa

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 4.74% (151,588 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: None
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 4.74% (151,588 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 94.32% live in rural communities

The scenic river view and waterfront houses in North Myrtle Beach.
17 / 46
PQK // Shutterstock

#30. South Carolina

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 4.95% (261,443 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 4.60% (243,247 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 0.34% (18,196 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 91.47% live in rural communities

An aerial view of downtown Deroit at dusk.
18 / 46
Canva

#29. Michigan

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 5.24% (525,446 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 4.27% (428,708 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 0.96% (96,738 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 14.44% live in rural communities

Cars parked along the street in Johnson City.
19 / 46
Nolichuckyjake // Shutterstock

#28. Tennessee

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 5.28% (372,150 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 2.23% (157,013 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 3.05% (215,137 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 81.39% live in rural communities

The skyline in downtown Manchester at dusk.
20 / 46
Canva

#27. New Hampshire

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 5.52% (76,959 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: None
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 5.52% (76,959 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 100.00% live in rural communities

Madison as viewed from across the water on a bright, sunny day.
21 / 46
Canva

#26. Wisconsin

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 6.38% (375,861 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 4.12% (242,823 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 2.26% (133,038 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 25.50% live in rural communities

A road leading into Silicon Valley.
22 / 46
Canva

#25. California

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 6.51% (2,540,550 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 4.34% (1,694,817 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 2.17% (845,733 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 44.79% live in rural communities

An aerial view of Carson City.
23 / 46
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

#24. Nevada

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 6.65% (211,406 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: None
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 6.65% (211,406 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 74.89% live in rural communities

Pedestrians strolling on a boardwalk in Ocean City.
24 / 46
eurobanks // Shutterstock

#23. Maryland

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 6.81% (419,597 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 2.98% (183,657 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 3.83% (235,940 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 0.00% live in rural communities

The St. Louis Gateway Arch in Missouri.
25 / 46
Paul Brady Photography // Shutterstock

#22. Missouri

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 7.17% (442,841 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 0.16% (9,807 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 7.01% (433,034 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 49.52% live in rural communities

The river leading into Columbus at night.
26 / 46
Canva

#21. Ohio

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 7.36% (865,695 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 2.82% (331,403 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 4.54% (534,292 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 33.27% live in rural communities

A view of Atlanta's skyline from Lake Meer in Piedmont Park.
27 / 46
ESB Professional // Shutterstock

#20. Georgia

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 7.48% (815,826 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 5.44% (593,797 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 2.03% (222,029 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 53.85% live in rural communities

Buildings in Billings with scenic hills in the background.
28 / 46
Canva

#19. Montana

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 8.23% (92,460 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: None
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 8.23% (92,460 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 100.00% live in rural communities

Downtown Louisville as seen at night.
29 / 46
Canva

#18. Kentucky

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 9.05% (408,210 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 7.26% (327,631 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 1.79% (80,579 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 100.00% live in rural communities

An aerial view of downtown Charleston at sunset.
30 / 46
Canva

#17. West Virginia

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 9.12% (161,967 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 1.18% (21,026 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 7.94% (140,941 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 66.10% live in rural communities

Skyscrapers and Lake Michigan in Chicago.
31 / 46
DiegoMariottini // Shutterstock

#16. Illinois

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 9.46% (1,190,636 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 0.51% (63,901 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 8.96% (1,126,735 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 32.40% live in rural communities

An aerial view of Austin and Lady Bird Lake.
32 / 46
Roschetzky Photography // Shutterstock

#15. Texas

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 10.10% (3,032,735 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 2.41% (722,483 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 7.69% (2,310,252 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 51.84% live in rural communities

A highway leading into downtown Phoenix.
33 / 46
Brandon Burris // Shutterstock

#14. Arizona

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 13.10% (964,071 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 4.43% (326,068 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 8.67% (638,003 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 34.42% live in rural communities

The skyline of Richmond at sunset.
34 / 46
Canva

#13. Virginia

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 13.16% (1,143,067 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 1.11% (95,965 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 12.06% (1,047,102 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 82.62% live in rural communities

The downtown Minneapolis skyline as seen at night.
35 / 46
Canva

#12. Minnesota

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 13.44% (768,665 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: None
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 13.44% (768,665 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 93.94% live in rural communities

An aerial view of Iowa City on a sunny day.
36 / 46
Canva

#11. Indiana

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 13.46% (919,711 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 2.16% (147,322 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 11.30% (772,389 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 72.10% live in rural communities

Boats and buildings in Sitka.
37 / 46
Marc Cappelletti // Shutterstock

#10. Alaska

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 14.73% (108,051 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: None
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 14.73% (108,051 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 100.00% live in rural communities

A parking garage and buildings in downtown Jackson.
38 / 46
Canva

#9. Mississippi

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 15.13% (444,965 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 14.24% (418,763 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 0.89% (26,202 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 100.00% live in rural communities

The Mobile skyline as seen at dusk.
39 / 46
Canva

#8. Alabama

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 16.80% (852,409 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 8.92% (452,443 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 7.88% (399,966 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 68.13% live in rural communities

The western suburbs of Rapid City.
40 / 46
Hank Shiffman // Shutterstock

#7. South Dakota

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 17.39% (158,226 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 5.26% (47,887 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 12.13% (110,339 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 83.00% live in rural communities

New Orleans near the water at dusk.
41 / 46
Canva

#6. Louisiana

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 17.80% (816,925 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 8.45% (387,854 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 9.35% (429,071 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 43.74% live in rural communities

An aerial view of Seattle with the Space Needle in the foreground.
42 / 46
Canva

#5. Washington

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 17.81% (1,386,696 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: None
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 17.81% (1,386,696 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 19.22% live in rural communities

Buildings in Fargo as seen at night.
43 / 46
Canva

#4. North Dakota

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 21.32% (166,135 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 0.86% (6,667 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 20.46% (159,468 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 100.00% live in rural communities

Residential suburbs in Albuquerque.
44 / 46
turtix // Shutterstock

#3. New Mexico

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 26.61% (562,286 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: 16.65% (351,884 people)
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 9.96% (210,402 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 67.36% live in rural communities

Buildings in Casper as seen at night.
45 / 46
Canva

#2. Wyoming

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 27.35% (158,995 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: None
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 27.35% (158,995 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 100.00% live in rural communities

The coastline and luxury hotels and apartments in Honolulu.
46 / 46
Canva

#1. Hawaii

- Share of state population living in primary care shortage areas: 35.64% (513,312 people)
--- Share in high-need shortage areas: None
--- Share in other geographic shortage areas: 35.64% (513,312 people)
- Among shortage area populations, 52.09% live in rural communities

Trending Now