Indicator: 59 - Health Care Providers

Why This Is Important

If a community is to meet the needs of its children and families, it must be able to sustain an adequate health care system. An important indicator of that is how many providers are present in a community.

Where We Stand

According to the Maine Department of Human Services:

• In 1998, pediatricians, family practitioners and general practitioners (M.D.s and D.O.s) were at a full-time equivalent rate of 1.7 per 1,000 children aged 0-17.
  
• In 1996, general practice dentists were at a 1.1 full-time equivalent rate per 1,000 children aged 0-17.
  
• In 1994, core mental health professionals were at a 4.0 full-time equivalent rate per 1,000 children aged 0-19.
  

Data Sources and Context

The data source for this indicator is the Office of Data, Research and Vital Statistics, Bureau of Health, Maine Department of Human Services.