A new analysis reveals that nearly half of U.S. counties lack a practicing cardiologist, highlighting a significant health crisis impacting millions. Of the 3,143 counties examined, 1,454—accounting for 22 million residents—are without cardiologists, disproportionately affecting rural areas with higher rates of cardiovascular diseases and death. Dr. Haider J. Warraich, a senior author of the study, stated, “This is a crisis that didn’t start yesterday,” underscoring the long-standing nature of these disparities.
Counties without cardiologists exhibit a 31% higher cardiovascular risk index and lower life expectancies compared to their counterparts with cardiologists. Residents in these areas face more significant challenges, including greater prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and other risk factors. Notably, even within racial and ethnic groups, non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native populations are most likely to reside in areas devoid of cardiologists, while more than 2 million Black Americans also lack access to specialized care.
The urgent need for policy reforms, improved broadband access for telehealth services, and enhanced cardiovascular care can no longer be overlooked if the United States is to address these pervasive health inequities and the associated human costs.
