STAT November 2, 2023
There is a persistent shortage of primary care doctors in the rural United States. Specialists, like OB-GYNs and endocrinologists, are even harder to access. According to the National Rural Health Association, there are only 30 specialists for every 100,000 residents in rural areas, compared to 263 per 100,000 in urban communities.
These shortages mean that many patients must routinely drive long distances to see their doctors, or simply go without care. This leaves rural populations more vulnerable to developing more serious illnesses.
“We know that urban patients typically do better based upon their ZIP code,” said David Newman, an endocrinologist based in Fargo, N.D. “We don’t want your care to be defined by your ZIP code. We want everyone to...
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