*This is an archive page. The links are no longer being updated. 1992.10.01 : Report -- Health Personnel in U.S. Contact: Charlotte Mehuron (301) 443-3376 October 1, 1992 The United States has more health care personnel than ever before, as well as increased numbers of applicants to most health professions schools, but the percentage of personnel going into family practice needs to be increased, according to a report released today by HHS Secretary Louis W. Sullivan, M.D. Health Personnel in the United States 1991: Eighth Report to Congress, says that only three of every 10 physicians are in primary care--family practice, general internal medicine, or general pediatrics. Prepared by the Health Resources and Services Administration, a U.S. Public Health Service agency, the report also reviews national health care issues and concerns. "The report underscores the importance of the administration's efforts to improve health care access and to get more primary care physicians into underserved areas," Dr. Sullivan said. During the 1980s, when medical school seniors' preferences for careers in primary care declined, demand for primary care services rose. This is at a time when intensive recruitment of board certified primary care physicians is expected by managed-care organizations such as HMOs, community health care centers and public health agencies. Shortages of registered nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists and public health personnel, as well as shortages of all types of health care practitioners in rural and inner-city areas are reported. The proportion of women in health care is growing. The growth rate of minorities in the health professions, although growing, is still below population gains. In addition, demand for health professionals to care for HIV/AIDS patients, substance abusers, babies born to mothers who did not receive adequate prenatal care and the aging U.S. population will rise significantly in the future. James Mason, M.D., HHS assistant secretary for health and head of the Public Health Service, said, "As we enter the 1990s, the revitalized National Health Service Corps, which requires service in medically underserved rural and inner-city areas in return for scholarships or loan repayments, will be a significant factor in tackling the estimated shortage of more than 4,000 primary care physicians and other health professionals shown in this report." Some report highlights: o The U.S. population is aging rapidly, with 12 percent now 65 or older, and 23 percent estimated by the year 2040. Increases in the number of the elderly are expected to boost the demand for health care services. o The AIDS epidemic has placed increased demands on health personnel. As of December 1991, the federal Centers for Disease Control have recorded more than 206,000 diagnosed AIDS cases and 133,000 AIDS patients' deaths. The HIV/AIDS epidemic makes demands on the whole range of health services, from prevention to technologically advanced acute care, and on all types of health providers. o Substance abuse is also a major public health problem particularly with regard to the role intravenous drug use plays in the transmission of the HIV virus. In 1990, an estimated 743,000 people in the United States were receiving care in 7,200 alcohol and drug treatment facilities. The report recommends that all health practitioners receive additional education in the prevention and treatment of both AIDS and substance abuse. o Increased access to maternal and child health care is essential to combat high infant mortality rates, particularly for black infants, who continue to die at twice the rate of white infants. Other problems among children and youth include high rates of suicide, ccidents, homicide, drug abuse and HIV infection. o Despite improvements in the overall supply of health practitioners, there is the continuing problem of inadequate minority access to health care services, reflected in minorities' poorer health status. Meanwhile, minority populations are expected to continue to grow faster than the majority population, further compounding access problems. o Health care needs in rural areas are higher than those in urban areas, except inner cities. There are higher incidences of injuries, disabilities, and chronic health problems in rural areas, which are generally underserved by most health practitioners as well as depressed economically. o The demand for registered nurses, especially in community hospitals, has continued to grow, despite recent increases in enrollments, admissions and graduations. Future projections suggest that the current shortage may become chronic. o Allied health personnel numbered 1.8 million in 1990, nearly 44 percent above the 1980 level. Demand for all types of allied health personnel, especially physical therapists, will grow. Because of fewer educational programs and applicants, future shortages are predicted in major allied health occupations. "HRSA has a wide range of programs to address the problems outlined in the report," said HRSA Administrator Robert G. Harmon, M.D., M.P.H. "Our Bureau of Health Professions recently issued a comprehensive, long-range plan for further increasing the recruitment, training and supply of primary health care personnel in underserved areas which involves the National Health Service Corps, area education centers and community and migrant health centers. Our Healthy Start program aims to reduce infant mortality, and the health careers opportunity program and centers of excellence in minority health will increase the number of minorities and other disadvantaged groups in the health professions." Copies of the Eighth Report can be obtained by writing to HRSA's Bureau of Health Professions, Office of Health Professions Analysis and Research, Rm. 8-47, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Md. 20857, or by phoning (301) 443-6936. ###