Physician Supply in Rural Areas with Large Minority Populations

It is found that in 1990 the number of physicians per thousand residents was lower than the national average in counties with predominantly black and Hispanic populations, and for counties largely populated by Native Americans, the mean number of Physicians was slightly higher than thenational average.

Abstract

While much research has been conducted into physician supply in rural areas, very little is known about physician supply in areas with heavy populations of ethnic minorities. This study finds that in 1990 the number of physicians per thousand residents was lower than the national average in counties with predominantly black and Hispanic populations. For counties largely populated by Native Americans, the mean number of physicians was slightly higher than the national average.