Missouri Physician Shortage Facts
Physician supply lags behind patient demand nationally and across Missouri. As supply falls, patients wait longer to see a doctor, and doctors burn out.
By 2030
The U.S. is projected to have 120,000 too few doctors nationally.
- Nearly 40% of American physicians will reach retirement age.
- The United States will face a shortage of over 120,000 physicians.
- 32% of Missouri physicians are within retirement range right now.
Missouri is projected to be short 3,102 doctors.
- Primary care alone is projected to be short 687 providers.
Overall, Missouri ranks in the bottom half of states for primary care and physician availability.
111 of Missouri’s 114 counties are health professional shortage areas (HPSAs).
- Low-income citizens are disproportionately affected by these shortages.
- HPSA designations indicate areas where there are 3,500 or more patients for every one provider.
Ranked against other states, Missouri’s doctor-to-patient ratio is:
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