PA · Healthcare shortage profile
Jefferson County, PA
Home to 44,492 residents, with 5 active HRSA shortage designations.
- Active HPSAs
- 5
- Population
- 44,492
- Peak shortage score
- 18.0
- MUA Index
- 57.9
Mid-burden verdict
According to current HRSA Data Warehouse records, Jefferson County holds a moderate federal shortage burden - 5 active HPSA designations, more than 47% of the 3,289 real US counties, with primary care the deepest gap.
- 5
- Active HPSA designations
- 2
- Dental shortages
- 18
- Peak severity score (of 26)
- Top 53%
- US counties by volume
Jefferson County vs. every real US county
Total active HPSA designations, including counties with none
5 Top 53% higher than 47% of 3,289 real US counties
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more real US counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source HRSA Data Warehouse, designated HPSAs · 2026
State peer position. Jefferson County falls in the upper half of PA counties by active-designation volume, at rank 32 of 67. Ties share a rank; the comparison uses the same current designated records as the national chart.
Healthcare shortage designations from HRSA. FIPS: 42065. Population: 44,492.
Single high-priority discipline
Jefferson County's only high-priority (≥17) footprint is dental care
Current HRSA Data Warehouse rows attribute 2 active dental care designations to Jefferson County , with a peak score of 18.0. Other care categories may still be designated here, but none of them clear HRSA's high-priority score line of 17 on the current release, NHSC and related instruments concentrate on the dental care records.
Medically Underserved Area
Active HPSA scores
Current designated records only. Scores range 0–25 (primary/mental health), 0–26 (dental). Higher = greater need.
Highest-severity HPSA designations
All 5 active (designated) HPSAs in Jefferson County, ranked by HRSA shortage score.
| Name | Type | Score |
|---|---|---|
| LI-Jefferson County | dental | 18.0 |
| LI - Jefferson County | primary_care | 15.0 |
| Penn Highlands Allegheny Health Center Rhc | dental | 15.0 |
| Penn Highlands Allegheny Health Center Rhc | primary_care | 14.0 |
| Penn Highlands Allegheny Health Center Rhc | mental_health | 11.0 |
Moderate-burden reading for Jefferson County
Dental care carries Jefferson County's deepest shortage reading, 18.0 on HRSA's 0–26 dental scale, past the 17-point line HRSA uses to open National Health Service Corps placement and enhanced Medicare reimbursement. Primary care reads 15.0 of 25; Mental health reads 11.0 of 25. The county also sits inside a Medically Underserved Area, indexed at 57.9, and the lower the index, the greater the measured need.
Jefferson County sits in the middle of the national designation-volume distribution (above 47% of counties) with 5 active records. That is enough for a formal shortage footprint without landing in the heaviest US tier. Compare the three discipline counts (2/1/2) before assuming every care category is equally short.
Jefferson County falls in the upper half of PA counties by active-designation volume, at rank 32 of 67. For moderate counties, the useful move is usually a state peer check plus the score cards above, not a national superlative claim.
Acting on Jefferson County's high-priority dental care
Jefferson County's shortage designations unlock specific federal programs and comparisons, here is how to act on them.
- Jefferson County's high-priority dental care designations are where NHSC placement geography concentrates, estimate the award and service terms. NHSC estimator
- See how the county's dental care burden compares with the rest of PA before drawing conclusions from a single score. PA overview
- Check the provider-to-population ratio behind an HPSA score against HRSA's designation thresholds. HPSA ratio checker
HPSA scores describe shortage severity within HRSA's designation criteria, not the availability of any individual provider. For a specific appointment, contact a provider or your insurer; use HRSA's current tools to verify a designation.
Nearby dental score peers
Closest U.S. counties on active dental HPSA score to Jefferson County's 18.0.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jefferson County a Medically Underserved Area?
Yes, Jefferson County is designated as a Medically Underserved Area (MUA) by HRSA. The MUA Index for this county is 57.9. MUA designation qualifies the area for enhanced federal funding and provider incentive programs.
How many healthcare shortage areas does Jefferson County have?
Jefferson County, PA has 5 Health Professional Shortage Area designations: 2 in primary care, 1 in mental health, and 2 in dental care, according to HRSA data.
What does Jefferson County's HPSA score of 18.0 mean?
18.0 in dental care clears 17, HRSA's high-priority line, which is what makes providers here eligible for NHSC placement and enhanced reimbursement.
What healthcare providers are needed in Jefferson County?
Based on HRSA shortage designations, Jefferson County needs additional providers in primary care (family physicians, internists, pediatricians), mental health (psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers), and dental care (dentists, dental hygienists). The National Health Service Corps offers loan repayment and scholarship programs for providers who serve in designated shortage areas.
Next read: Dental Shortage in America · PA state overview · NHSC loan repayment
Source: HRSA Data Warehouse. FIPS: 42065. PlainHealthAccess is not affiliated with HRSA or any government agency.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the HRSA Data Warehouse. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.