Percent of No Health Insurance in South Texas by Age
Group, 2002-2005
60
50
Percent
40
30
20
10
0
18-29
30-44
45-64
65+
Age Group
Figure 3.3. Estimated percent of the adult (age 18 and older) South Texas population with no
health insurance by age group, 2002-2005.
Source: Estimated Prevalence using the Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Combined Year Dataset,
Statewide BRFSS Survey, 2002-2005
Health professional shortage areas (HPSAs)
Another major barrier to receiving adequate health care is a shortage of health care
providers in certain locations. Twenty-one of the 38 South Texas counties are currently
designated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as (whole county
service area) primary care health professional shortage areas (HPSAs).4
The counties designated as primary care HPSAs in South Texas are shown in Figure 3.4.
The HPSAs in this list are mostly non-metropolitan counties. However, a few
metropolitan counties (such as Atascosa, Bandera, Medina, and Wilson) are designated as
HPSAs, so a shortage of health professionals is also a problem in some South Texas
metropolitan areas.4
17 | T h e I n s t i t u t e f o r H e a l t h P r o m o t i o n R e s e a r c h
Gillespie
Kerr
Edwards
Kendall
Val Verde
Real
Comal
Bandera
Guadalupe
Bexar
Kinney
Uvalde
Medina
Wilson
Karnes
Atascosa
Frio
Zavala
Maverick
Bee
Dimmit
La Salle
McMullen
Live Oak
San Patricio
Webb
Duval
Jim Wells
Nueces
Kleberg
Jim Hogg
Zapata
Brooks
Kenedy
Starr
Primary Health Care Professional Shortage Areas
Willacy
Hidalgo
Cameron
Source: DSHS, Environmental & Injury Epidemiology & Toxicology Branch, May 2007.
Map Produced by DSHS, Center for Health Statistics, June 2007.
Figure 3.4. Map of currently designated whole county primary care health professional
shortage areas in South Texas.
18 | T h e I n s t i t u t e f o r H e a l t h P r o m o t i o n R e s e a r c h
References
1. Zuvekas SH, Weinick RM. Changes in Access to Care, 1977-1996: The Role of
Health Insurance. Health Serv Res 1999; 34:271-279.
2. Ramirez AG, McAlister A, Gallion KJ, Villarreal R. Targeting Hispanic
Populations: Future Research and Prevention Strategies. Environ Health Perspect
1995; 103:287-290.
3. Weinick RM, Zuvekas SH, Drilea S. Research Findings #3: Access to Health Care Sources and Barriers, 1996. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. 2006.
Accessed 2007 April;
http://www.meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_files/publications/rf3/rf3.shtml.
4. Primary Care HPSA Designations: Whole County, Texas 2007. Texas Department
of State Health Services. 2007. Accessed 2007 May;
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/chs/hprc/PChpsaWC.shtm.
19 | T h e I n s t i t u t e f o r H e a l t h P r o m o t i o n R e s e a r c h