New York Rural Counties Face Severe Healthcare Professional Shortages

A recent audit by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli has revealed critical shortages of healthcare professionals in 16 rural counties, including primary care physicians, pediatricians, OB-GYNs, dentists, and mental health providers. These counties have an average of only four primary care doctors per 10,000 people, less than half the state and national averages, with some counties lacking pediatricians or OB-GYNs entirely. All 16 counties are federally designated as shortage areas for at least two medical fields, with mental health practitioner shortages particularly severe. The report highlights transportation challenges for rural residents and recommends solutions such as mobile clinics, school-based health centers, expanded telemedicine, and incentives for training new healthcare workers. DiNapoli emphasized that addressing these shortages is essential not only for improving health outcomes but also for creating jobs and strengthening rural economies. The findings underscore an urgent need to bolster healthcare access in less populated areas of New York.