Pediatric surgical border health: Supply may not be meeting demand in South Texas communities.

INTRODUCTION: The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) has historically high incidence of congenital defects (CDs) necessitating intervention by pediatric surgical specialties. We examined mortality in this region and related workforce patterns. METHODS: Mortality data related to CDs (2007-2021) and surgical workforce trends/projections (2024-2032) were collected using multiple databases: National Vital Statistics System, Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas Medical Board, Center for Disease Control. RESULTS: Nationally, RGV counties rank as high as 5th in CD mortality rates. Between 2020 and 2024, 3 of 4 studied pediatric surgical specialties experienced stagnant/decreasing workforces ranging from 0 to 66 â€‹%. Furthermore, the RGV is projected to have some of the most marked state-wide disparities in surgical providers over the next 8 years. CONCLUSION: High infant mortality rates along with ongoing and future shortages of surgical specialists is concerning. These results may inform allocation of public health resources and workforce distribution to improve outcomes.

When physician supply does not meet patient demand: A looming epidemic in vascular and renal care for a community with the highest incidence of end-stage renal disease in the United States.

BACKGROUND: South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) are medically underserved-communities near the Texas-Mexico border with the highest incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the nation, and a shortage of available full-time equivalent (FTE) specialty-physicians. METHODS: Data on the incidence/prevalence of ESRD and workforce projections on vascular-surgeons and nephrologists were collected from the United States Renal Data System and Texas Department of State Health Services. We then merged data from both datasets to identify population-specific healthcare-trends. RESULTS: Texas had the highest rates of ESRD from 2016 to 2020, with its border regions leading the state. By 2032, vascular-surgery and nephrology are projected to have the 1st and 4th worst physician-shortages in the state respectively, with the percentage of these FTE specialty-physicians available to meet the need of the RGV ranging from 42.3 to 58.4 â€‹%. CONCLUSIONS: The RGV is experiencing increased rates of ESRD, while having a paradoxical-decline in specialty-physicians available to provide adequate care.