Detroit’s decades of decline and loss (population, industry, retail, etc.) also needs to include the loss of health professionals. Many left the city to follow population, others left out of fear, and many could no longer run a financial sustainable practice amid the decline.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) defines shortage areas geographically, population-based, and facility-based:

Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) are designations that indicate health care provider shortages in:

• Primary care;
• Dental health; or
• Mental health

The areas excluded generally fall within the service areas of Detroit’s major hospitals: DMC Harper-Hutzel & Children’s Hospital, DMC Sinai-Grace, and St. John Providence.