Availability of Specialized Healthcare Providers
What does this measure?
This indicator provides three separate measures of healthcare provider accessibility in New York State and the Mid-Hudson counties by showing the number of patients per provider for mental health professionals, dentists, and other primary care providers. A lower patient-to-provider ratio signifies better access to care, while a higher ratio indicates potential shortages and reduced accessibility for residents in that area.
Summary Statement
The data reveals significant disparities in the availability of specialized healthcare providers across some of the listed Mid Hudson counties. Access to mental health providers is best in Putnam County, with a ratio of 235 to 1, while access to dentists is best in Rockland County at 1,060 to 1. Other primary care providers are most accessible in Dutchess County at 832 to 1. In contrast, Sullivan County faces the greatest challenges, having the highest patient-to-provider ratios in all three categories (493 to 1 for mental health, 2,490 to 1 for dentists, and 1,630 to 1 for other primary care providers), suggesting a widespread shortage of specialized healthcare services in that area.