The United States health workforce profile.

a not-for-profit research organization dedicated to the study of the supply, demand, distribution, education, and use of physicians, nurses, and other health professionals and paraprofessionals. PREFACE The success of the health care system is dependent on qualified personnel. Access to care, quality of care, and costs of care are all affected by the availability of properly educated and trained workers. In formulating policies, plans, and programs, health policy makers should carefully consider the supply, demand, distribution , education, and use of health workers needed to deliver essential services. The health workforce—health care professionals and others working in health care facilities—is also an important component of the economic engine of the United States, representing nearly 12 percent of all American workers and a large share of the Gross Domestic Product. States play several critical roles related to the health workforce. They license and credential health professionals and provide significant funding for health professions education, particularly through public colleges and universities. State reimbursement policies for Medicaid and the regulation of private insurers also have a major impact on the use of health professionals. And states play an important role in assuring access to high quality health care for all residents. To carry out these and other roles and responsibilities, it is essential that state policy makers have detailed information about the health personnel in their respective states. This report is designed to fill that need. By compiling, organizing, and presenting a wide array of data on the health workforce, this profile will help state planners and policy makers to better understand and address critical health workforce issues.INTRODUCTION This report presents a variety of data from 2004 related to the health workforce in the U.S. Estimated numbers of workers are presented to indicate the size of the nation's workforce. Per capita ratios are also used for comparisons among states and regions, and with the nation as a whole. Where possible, degree completion data are provided for several years, offering important insights about whether the number of individuals in a profession is growing (e.g., PAs and RNs) or shrinking (e.g., podiatrists). This report is organized into three main sections: √ A brief overview of the health services and the health status of residents by state which impact the supply and demand for health workers; √ Health care employment by place of work, including hospitals, nursing homes, and other settings; and √ Health care employment …