Uneven Distribution of Primary Care for Children

The number of pediatrician and family physicians surged between 1996 and 2006, expanding by 51 percent and 35 percent, respectively. Despite this hearty increase, many children have poor access to doctors, and nearly 1 million children live in areas with no local doctor, according to a study published online by Pediatrics in December 2010.

The increase in the number of pediatricians and family physicians outpaced the growth in the child population in the United States. However, the uneven distribution of these physicians is apparent in nearly all 50 states. Wealthy suburbs and urban areas have an abundance of doctors, while other parts of the nation have few or none, according to the study.

Washington, D.C. and Delaware had no children living in low-supply regions between 1996 and 2006. Comparatively, Mississippi had 42 percent of its children living in low-supply regions.

Read the report.