Three counties in Arkansas have been added to the state's list of health professional shortage areas, according to a March 13 report from the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette.
Monroe, Drew and Phillips counties have been designated HPSAs by the Arkansas Department of Health, which defines them as "areas with a shortage of primary healthcare professionals and facilities." Ten other counties were previously on the list.
The designation is based on a variety of criteria, including geography, facilities, population and medically underserved areas or populations. Monroe, Drew and Phillips counties were also designated as "high needs geographic HPSAs."
The designation by the health department allows healthcare organizations in the county to use federal funding to recruit medical professionals by offering student loan repayment. These providers could include physicians, nurses, dentists and behavioral health professionals.