To commemorate National Public Health Week 2025, this publication is part of a series that explores policies, programs, and considerations for improving population health.
Primary care includes prevention, health and treatment of the health needs of many individual patients, but population health is It is defined “As a health outcome of an individual group, including the distribution of such outcomes within the group.” Both of these health areas operate on a variety of scales, but are closely linked to policies related to primary care that affect population health. Increased access to primary care can significantly improve population health, providing more preventive care to those who need it before conditions worsen. Primary care is like that link With improved health outcomes, fewer emergency department visits and fewer hospitalizations. The governor is investing in primary care with goals to increase spending on primary care, increasing workforce training and telehealth infrastructure funding, and increasing flexibility for access to health care. These actions affect population health and national health improvements.
Primary care has historically been underfunded in the US and takes into account that it is less 5% Total medical expenses. Several states are aiming for Increase your investment in primary care By setting health planning goals for primary care services. For example, Connecticut the purpose Spending 10% of Medicaid, Medicare and commercial health plans on primary care. Oklahoma has set a goal of spending 11% on primary care within the state’s Medicaid managed care program (SoonerSelect) compared to current 5% level of spending on primary care. These goals aim to better coordinate healthcare services and payments that protect the health of our population through vaccinations to protect physically from the flu year.
To improve access to primary care, states and regions are tackling workforce shortages. While the number of per capita medical specialist residents has risen over the past decade, primary care residents have stagnated considerably. The governor is investing in training the health workforce through additional settlement and loan repayment programs to boost this workforce. In Idaho, the state provided $824,000 Includes several slots in Family Medicine and Pediatrics for 16 new residents and fellow positions. For healthcare workers who have already completed training, Hawaii’s Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program (Help) provided loan repayments 1,200 Healthcare workers for the past two years. The program includes primary care roles such as doctors, registered nurses, and community healthcare professionals.
Figure 2. Comparison of primary care and specialist residents per capita from 2012 to 2022
The governor has adopted telehealth to address transportation barriers that prevent people from accessing healthcare services, particularly in rural communities. The lack of broadband access and technology remains a challenge for patients, preventing patients from fully utilizing telehealth. To overcome these barriers and use existing infrastructure, Colorado is pilot Telehealth visits at public libraries. Tennessee invested $34.5 million State and federal funds will improve the broadband infrastructure of the last Mile Grant, which supports the implementation and use of high-speed broadband for purposes such as telehealth visits. These initiatives will expand access to telehealth services, support preventive care and improve population health.
Figure 3. Few primary care providers see patients outside US hours
Policy to provide flexibility in healthcare services is another way for states and regions to meet patients to improve access to primary care. This includes offering reservations on weekends and additional locations. Compared to primary care providers in the other 10 high-income countries, primary care providers in the US are far less likely to report appointments outside of business hours. The state is using strategic partnerships to increase the availability of healthcare outside of business hours and other ways patients can access healthcare. 2024, US Virgin Islands Wellness Fair 2024the free medical clinic provided $2.25 million in medical services and served more than 2,100 residents in nine days. Military healthcare professionals provided care, including dental services, optometry services, medical screening, pediatric physical physics and vaccinations, as part of a partnership between the territory and the US Department of Defense.
The state is also working with the private sector to deploy mobile health units for preventive care. Focus Program It is a partnership between GILEAD and local healthcare institutions that screen and connect patients to HIV, hepatitis C and hepatitis B care. The University of Arizona participates in the program to deploy local healthcare workers to provide HIV testing for a specific population, including uninsured or insured Indigenous people, Latinos, and those leaving correction facilities.
The governor is investing in healthcare services using innovative methods. By addressing workforce shortages and supporting new ways to access primary care, states and regions will meet patients to improve population health.
This publication was developed for best practices at the National Association of Governors Center, developed by Anna Heard.
