Shaping the Future of Health Care

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At the University of Arizona Health Sciences, leaders are preparing students to build and lead the future of health care. A series of transformative programs will ensure that the next generation of health care professionals is well prepared to improve health and human potential and to provide compassionate and culturally sensitive care to build healthier communities for all. 

UArizona Health Sciences’ educational priorities focus on nurturing a pipeline of health care providers with an emphasis on primary, preventive and prenatal care, especially in rural areas. Leaders take a comprehensive approach to lifelong learning, harmonizing experiences across diverse health sciences disciplines to meet the growing need for a skilled health care workforce, within Arizona and around the world.

Health Care Outlook in the State of Arizona

• Arizona is one of the fastest-growing states in population, having grown 11.2% between 2010 and 2020 (according to U.S. Census Bureau data). 
• Arizona needs between 497 and 667 primary care physician full-time equivalents to eliminate its current primary care physician shortage. 
• Arizona has primary care shortages in all counties, with the situation being worst in rural areas. 
• Arizona meets just 8.54% of residents’ mental health needs and has mental health workforce shortages in all counties. 
• In Arizona, there are several counties with few or no obstetric providers, and nearly half of the women in some rural areas must travel for more than 30 minutes to receive maternity care. 
• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates approximately 195,400 openings for registered nurses in Arizona from 2021 to 2031.

Information sources: Center for Rural Health and Arizona State Board of Nursing