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Nebraska Value:
Number of pediatricians per 100,000 children ages 0-21
Nebraska Rank:
Appears In:
Number of pediatricians per 100,000 children ages 0-21
>= 144.2
109.1 - 144.1
95.2 - 109.0
83.3 - 95.1
<= 83.2
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:
To address the current shortcomings of the pediatric workforce, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends:
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.
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.