Pediatricians in United States
United States
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United States Value:
113.2
Number of pediatricians per 100,000 children ages 0-21
Pediatricians in depth:
Appears In:
Pediatricians by State
Number of pediatricians per 100,000 children ages 0-21
Pediatricians in
Data from U.S. HHS, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, National Plan and Provider Enumeration System, September 2023
>= 144.2
109.1 - 144.1
95.2 - 109.0
83.3 - 95.1
<= 83.2
Pediatricians
- U.S. HHS, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, National Plan and Provider Enumeration System, September 2023
About Pediatricians
US Value: 113.2
Top State(s): Massachusetts: 221.0
Bottom State(s): Idaho: 46.9
Definition: Number of pediatricians per 100,000 children ages 0-21
Data Source and Years(s): U.S. HHS, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, National Plan and Provider Enumeration System, September 2023
Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of U.S. HHS, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, National Plan and Provider Enumeration System, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2024.
Pediatricians are physicians who specialize in treating children from birth through young adulthood. In addition to treating illnesses, they also monitor childhood development and provide preventive care, including vaccinations, through wellness exams. Moreover, pediatricians can help educate families on fostering positive parenting behaviors, which play an important role in children’s development.
Demand for pediatricians has increased as the number of children with chronic conditions increases. There is currently a shortage of pediatric specialists in the United States, and the uneven geographical distribution of pediatricians and family physicians leaves many rural communities and other underserved areas with insufficient child health care options.
Populations of children with less access to pediatric care include:
- Children living in rural areas compared with those in urban areas.
- Children of racial and ethnic minorities compared with white children.
To address the current shortcomings of the pediatric workforce, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends:
- Increasing the number of pediatric residency openings.
- Providing financial incentives like loan forgiveness programs and tax credits for pediatricians working in rural and underserved areas.
- Fostering racial and ethnic diversity among pediatricians to promote cultural competence in health care.
Remote telehealth options can increase access to pediatric care, particularly for children who experience health care barriers.
Healthy People 2030 identifies access to primary care as a key social determinant of health.
Curfman, Alison L., Jesse M. Hackell, Neil E. Herendeen, Joshua J. Alexander, James P. Marcin, William B. Moskowitz, Chelsea E. F. Bodnar, Harold K. Simon, and S. David McSwain. “Telehealth: Improving Access to and Quality of Pediatric Health Care.” Pediatrics 148, no. 3 (September 1, 2021): e2021053129. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2021-053129.
Curfman, Alison L., Jesse M. Hackell, Neil E. Herendeen, Joshua J. Alexander, James P. Marcin, William B. Moskowitz, Chelsea E. F. Bodnar, Harold K. Simon, S. David McSwain, and SECTION ON TELEHEALTH CARE, COMMITTEE ON PRACTICE AND AMBULATORY MEDICINE, COMMITTEE ON PEDIATRIC WORKFORCE. “Telehealth: Improving Access to and Quality of Pediatric Health Care.” Pediatrics 148, no. 3 (September 1, 2021): e2021053129. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2021-053129.
Flores, Glenn. “Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Health and Health Care of Children.” Pediatrics 125, no. 4 (April 1, 2010): e979–1020. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2010-0188.
Hardin, Amy Peykoff, Jesse M. Hackell, Geoffrey R. Simon, Alexy Darlyn Arauz Boudreau, Cynthia N. Baker, Graham Arthur Barden, Kelley E. Meade, Scot Benton Moore, and Julia Richerson. “Age Limit of Pediatrics.” Pediatrics 140, no. 3 (September 1, 2017): e20172151. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2017-2151.
Peltz, Alon, Chang L. Wu, Marjorie Lee White, Karen M. Wilson, Scott A. Lorch, Cary Thurm, Matt Hall, and Jay G. Berry. “Characteristics of Rural Children Admitted to Pediatric Hospitals.” Pediatrics 137, no. 5 (May 1, 2016): e20153156. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2015-3156.
Shah, Reshma, Sarah Kennedy, Maureen D. Clark, Sarah C. Bauer, and Alan Schwartz. “Primary Care-Based Interventions to Promote Positive Parenting Behaviors: A Meta-Analysis.” Pediatrics 137, no. 5 (May 1, 2016): e20153393–e20153393. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2015-3393.
Shipman, Scott A., Jia Lan, Chiang-hua Chang, and David C. Goodman. “Geographic Maldistribution of Primary Care for Children.” Pediatrics 127, no. 1 (January 1, 2011): 19–27. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2010-0150.
Vinci, Robert J. “The Pediatric Workforce: Recent Data Trends, Questions, and Challenges for the Future.” Pediatrics 147, no. 6 (June 1, 2021): e2020013292. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2020-013292.
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