Pediatricians in Kentucky
Kentucky
Explore national- and state-level data for hundreds of health, environmental and socioeconomic measures, including background information about each measure. Use features on this page to find measures; view subpopulations, trends and rankings; and download and share content.
Kentucky Value:
91.4
Number of pediatricians per 100,000 children ages 0-21
Kentucky Rank:
31
Pediatricians in depth:
Appears In:
Pediatricians by State
Number of pediatricians per 100,000 children ages 0-21
Pediatricians
- U.S. HHS, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, National Plan and Provider Enumeration System, September 2022
About Pediatricians
US Value: 109.3
Top State(s): Massachusetts: 214.0
Bottom State(s): Wyoming: 45.6
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 2022
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 mental and physical illness in children from birth through young adulthood. They also monitor the development of children 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 has also increased. There is currently a shortage of pediatric specialists, 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 that have less adequate access to pediatric care include:
- Children living in rural areas compared with children living in urban areas.
- Racial/ethnic minority children 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 program graduates to maintain the current supply and to increase the number of pediatric surgical specialists.
- Providing incentives, including loan forgiveness programs and tax credits, to address the maldistribution of pediatricians in rural and underserved areas.
- Increasing racial and ethnic diversity among pediatricians for cultural effectiveness in health care.
Healthy People 2030 identifies access to primary care as a key social determinant of health in the health care access and quality domain.
Basco, William T., Mary E. Rimsza, Andrew J. Hotaling, Ted D. Sigrest, and Frank A. Simon. “Pediatrician Workforce Policy Statement.” Pediatrics 132, no. 2 (August 1, 2013): 390–97. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2013-1517.
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.
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.
Current Reports
America’s Health Rankings builds on the work of the United Health Foundation to draw attention to public health and better understand the health of various populations. Our platform provides relevant information that policymakers, public health officials, advocates and leaders can use to effect change in their communities.
We have developed detailed analyses on the health of key populations in the country, including women and children, seniors and those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, in addition to a deep dive into health disparities across the country.
