Pennsylvania Has the 10th Most Healthcare Workers Per Capita

The coronavirus outbreak has called into question the nation’s preparedness to respond to and mitigate health crises. As the number of presumptive and confirmed COVID-19 cases continue to increase, hospitals across the country face shortages of equipment, personnel, and beds. While the pandemic is highlighting shortcomings of the U.S. healthcare system overall, it is also evident that some parts of the country are better staffed with healthcare workers than others.

Despite current shortages, healthcare employment growth has actually outpaced the average across all workers for the past three decades. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), healthcare workers have experienced a cumulative 106 percent increase from 1990 to 2020, compared to a 40 percent increase for all workers over the same time period. Even without taking into account the recent outbreak, BLS projections indicate that employment in healthcare occupations will continue to grow much faster than the average for all occupations, mainly due to increased demand from an aging population.

 

 

Nationwide, there are 3.9 healthcare workers for every 100 residents. In Massachusetts, the density of healthcare workers is 5.06 per 100 residents, the highest in the country. But in Nevada, that number is just 2.94, the lowest in the country. Compared to the Northeast and Midwest, there is a shortage of healthcare workers in the South and West. Interestingly, these are regions where many older adults who require healthcare services choose to retire.

 

 

To identify which states have the most healthcare workers per capita, researchers at Self Financial analyzed statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau. States were ordered by the total number of healthcare workers employed per 100 residents. The total number of healthcare workers includes both practitioners (for example, physicians, surgeons, and registered nurses) and healthcare support occupations (for example, home health aides, nursing assistants, and medical equipment preparers).

Most healthcare workers per capita tend to be located in the Midwest or the Northeast. The West and the South have a far lower density of healthcare workers.

This analysis by Self Financial found that Pennsylvania has 594,800 total healthcare workers, which amounts to 4.64 for every 100 residents. Of all states, Pennsylvania has the 10th most healthcare workers per capita in the U.S. Here is a summary of the data for Pennsylvania:

• Healthcare workers per 100 residents: 4.64
• Total number of healthcare workers: 594,800
• Number of healthcare practitioners: 408,340
• Number of healthcare support workers: 186,460
• Population: 12,807,060

For reference, here are the statistics for the entire United States:

• Healthcare workers per 100 residents: 3.90
• Total number of healthcare workers: 12,764,180
• Number of healthcare practitioners: 8,646,730
• Number of healthcare support workers: 4,117,450
• Population: 327,167,439

For more information, a detailed methodology, and complete results for all states, you can find the original report on Self Financial’s website: https://www.self.inc/blog/healthcare-workers-by-city

Stocks rise as a bounce in oil prices lifts energy sector
By STAN CHOE and DAMIAN J. TROISE AP Business Writers
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks rose and the price of oil bounced further off its lowest level in 18 years after President Donald Trump said he expects Saudi Arabia and Russia to dial down their price war. The price of oil soared 24% Thursday to nearly $25 a barrel. Energy stocks rose 10%, though they still face extreme challenges with the price of oil as low as it its. The S&P 500 rose 2%. The gains helped overshadow another report showing the coronavirus outbreak is forcing a record-breaking number of Americans into the unemployment queue. More than 6.6 million people applied for unemployment benefits last week.

Harrisburg, PA- The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., April 2, that there are 1,211 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 7,016 in 62 counties. The department also reported 16 new deaths among positive cases, bringing the statewide total to 90. County-specific information and a statewide map are available here. All people are either in isolation at home or being treated at the hospital.

Locally in Beaver County the numbers have increased with Beaver County now reporting 55 cases, up one from yesterday and still two deaths in the county (a third is being reported but not confirmed by the health Department)

“The continued rise in cases combined with our increasing deaths from COVID-19 reflects the seriousness of this situation,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “We need everyone to listen to the orders in place and to stay calm, stay home and stay safe. We know that these prolonged mitigation effects have been difficult for everyone, but it is essential that everyone follows these orders and does not go out unless they absolutely must.”

There are 47,698 patients who have tested negative to date. Of the patients who have tested positive to date the age breakdown is as follows:

• Nearly 1% are aged 0-4;
• Nearly 1% are aged 5-12;
• 1% are aged 13-18;
• Nearly 9% are aged 19-24;
• Nearly 41% are aged 25-49;
• Nearly 29% are aged 50-64; and
• 19% are aged 65 or older.

Most of the patients hospitalized are aged 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. There have been no pediatric deaths to date. More data is available here.

All non-life-sustaining businesses are ordered to be closed and schools are closed statewide indefinitely. Currently the entire state is under a stay-at-home order.

Statewide – The Wolf Administration has since noon, April 1:

• Announced a statewide stay-at-home order, effective 8 p.m., April 1.

• Announced Pennsylvania State Police non-life-sustaining business closure enforcement numbers.

For the latest information for individuals, families, businesses and schools, visit “Responding to COVID-19” on pa.gov.

Below is a breakdown of cases and deaths by county:

County Case Counts to Date

Beaver County Radio’s Sandy Giordano has the latest on State Representative Rob Matzie’s plea to County citizens in regards to the 2020 census:

 

Joe Biden predicts Democratic convention delay until August
By BILL BARROW Associated Press
Prospective Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden says he thinks his party’s nominating convention will have to be pushed back from July into August because of coronavirus. The pandemic is forcing Democrats and Republicans to take a close look at at their summer conventions, which typically kick off the general election season. Biden made his statement in an interview Wednesday with late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel. Biden noted in a separate interview Tuesday that Democrats “have more time” to figure things out. Republicans are expressing confidence they can pull off their convention as scheduled in late August. But party Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel still allows for the possibility the pandemic could upend GOP plans.

Economic fallout mounts, along with competition for masks
By MICHAEL R. SISAK, LORI HINNANT and MARK SHERMAN Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — The economic damage from the coronavirus crisis piled up as a record 6.6 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits, and the competition for masks and other protective gear intensified amid growing evidence that people who are infected but have no symptoms can spread the virus. The new unemployment claims announced Thursday, double those of last week’s previous record high, mean 10 million people have lost their jobs over two weeks because of the virus outbreak and also almost certainly signal the onset of a severe global recession.

A record 10 million sought US jobless aid in past 2 weeks
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 6.6 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, far exceeding a record high set just last week, a sign that layoffs are accelerating in the midst of the coronavirus. The job cuts are mounting against the backdrop of economies in the United States and abroad that have almost certainly sunk into a severe recession as businesses close across the world. Last week’s figure is much higher than the previous record of 3.3 million reported for the previous week. The surging layoffs have led many economists to envision as many as 20 million lost jobs by the end of April.