The number of adults per primary care physician (PCP) in a given geographic area. A lower ratio means residents have greater access to primary care doctors. This measure is derived from the CMS National Provider Identifier (NPI) registry, which includes physicians providing family medicine, general practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, geriatrics, and obstetrics/gynecology. Data is sourced from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Provider of Services, and National Plan & Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) Data, as compiled by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Area Health Resource File (AHRF) and available in datasets like County Health Rankings & Roadmaps.

Why does this Matter?

• Reduces mortality and improves life expectancy: 
  • Higher density of primary care physicians is linked to lower all‑cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality rates, suggesting that greater access to PCPs contributes to extended lives ¹
• Enhances preventive care utilization:
  • Patients who have at least one primary care visit per year are significantly more likely to receive evidence-based preventive services, such as vaccinations (a 127% increase), colonoscopies (a 122% increase), and mammograms (a 75% increase). ²
• Improves management of chronic conditions and health outcomes:
  • In Florida, a higher primary care physician supply is associated with lower obesity and mortality rates, as well as increased life expectancy, demonstrating the real-world impact of PCP availability on community health. ³

1. Abdul Jabbar AB, Talha KM, Nambi V, Abramov D, Minhas AMK. Primary care physician density and mortality in the United States. J Natl Med Assoc. 2024 Oct;116(5):600-606. doi: 10.1016/j.jnma.2024.10.001. Epub 2024 Oct 16. PMID: 39455301.
2. Hostetter, J., Schwarz, N., Klug, M. et al. Primary care visits increase utilization of evidence-based preventative health measures. BMC Fam Pract 21, 151 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-020-01216-8
3. Droznin, M. E., & Fashner, J. (2023). Primary Care Physician Supply and Population Health Outcomes in Florida, 2010–2019. HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine, 4(5), Article 4. https://doi.org/10.36518/2689-0216.1528