Examining Rural Population Characteristics and Access to Care: A Study of Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs)

The purpose of the Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) designation is to identify areas of need and prioritization of health care resources to the people in those places. HPSA designations identify a shortage of either primary medical, dental, or mental health providers within an identified geographic area, population group, or health care facility.

This project examined geographic differences in provider shortages across primary care, mental health, and dental health services, comparing designated shortage areas to non-designated areas across rural and urban settings. Using national and regional analyses, we looked at socio-economic and demographic characteristics associated with these designations, such as educational attainment, insurance coverage, and housing. Findings showed that rural areas, particularly small rural regions, experienced greater shortages and associated challenges to getting care. The study underscores the role of HPSA and MUA designations in guiding federal programs that allocate resources, inform policy, and support workforce distribution initiatives.