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Number of counties in North Carolina where ratio of population to primary care clinician is less than 1500:1 (certified nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, and primary care physicians)
Current Value
80
Definition
Story Behind the Curve
Overall, the state is improving (i.e., there is an increase in the number of counties with a sufficient number of providers*).
The graph shows the number of counties meeting the standard ratio of 1,500 or fewer people to 1 primary care clinician (i.e., county has sufficient primary care clinicians to meet population health needs).
Overall, the ratio for the state improved from 983:1 in 2017 to 765:1 in 2024. [UNC Sheps Center]
NOTE: A significant number of physicians were issued temporary licenses during the pandemic (2021).
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Recommended Ratio:
The target is a ratio of 1,500 or fewer people per primary care clinician. [UNC Sheps Center recommended standard]
- Anticipate 2025 data release summer 2026.
Indicator Notes
Definition:
"The primary care clinician index is a ratio of population to primary care clinicians, so a ratio with a higher value suggests lower access to primary care services...physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and certified nurse midwives as primary care clinicians." [UNC Sheps Center]
Why is this indicator important?
Access to primary care can encourage preventive health care and improve health outcomes. Many rural areas of North Carolina lack adequate access to medical professionals, including those providing primary care.
Additional Information:
The indicator, Number of counties in North Carolina where ratio of population to primary care clinician is less than 1500:1, trends the percentage of the state's 100 counties with sufficient clinicians (i.e., population of 1,500 or fewer per provider, in order to meet population needs).
The indicator aligns with HNC2030.
For Further Information:
https://nchealthworkforce.unc.edu/blog/pcc_index_2023/#:~:text=Guided%20by%20the%20recommendations%20of,to%20meet%20population%20health%20needs.
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