Mapping Chicago Neighborhood Racial Composition with HPSA Scores
Session Number
1
Advisor(s)
Michelle Birkett, Northwestern University
Location
A151
Discipline
Medical and Health Sciences
Start Date
15-4-2026 10:15 AM
End Date
15-4-2026 11:00 AM
Abstract
Unequal access to health care professionals in primary care facilities remains a driving factor of health disparities across Chicago neighborhoods, where chronic disease and mortality rates are higher in communities designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA). Prior research has shown how West and South Side neighborhoods have a disproportionate amount of HPSAs in relation to population. Population density partially explains these disparities; however, the health burdens present in these communities are largely attributed to the historical disinvestment in black and brown communities and the resulting barriers to access. Shortage areas are also attributed to transportation barriers, locating primary health care providers outside of black and brown neighborhoods, and worsening shortage areas. This study maps Chicago census-tract-level racial composition against HPSA scores to examine the relationship between race and primary care workforce shortages. Building on findings from GIS-based studies and 2SFCA accessibility models, census tract demographic data are visualized and compared with federally designated HPSA scores to identify clustering patterns and investigate if these differences can be predicted by neighborhood racial composition and socioeconomic profiles. The findings of this project are meant to emphasize how structural and historical inequalities are shown in federal shortage designation areas and expand on the consequences of these disparities.
Mapping Chicago Neighborhood Racial Composition with HPSA Scores
A151
Unequal access to health care professionals in primary care facilities remains a driving factor of health disparities across Chicago neighborhoods, where chronic disease and mortality rates are higher in communities designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA). Prior research has shown how West and South Side neighborhoods have a disproportionate amount of HPSAs in relation to population. Population density partially explains these disparities; however, the health burdens present in these communities are largely attributed to the historical disinvestment in black and brown communities and the resulting barriers to access. Shortage areas are also attributed to transportation barriers, locating primary health care providers outside of black and brown neighborhoods, and worsening shortage areas. This study maps Chicago census-tract-level racial composition against HPSA scores to examine the relationship between race and primary care workforce shortages. Building on findings from GIS-based studies and 2SFCA accessibility models, census tract demographic data are visualized and compared with federally designated HPSA scores to identify clustering patterns and investigate if these differences can be predicted by neighborhood racial composition and socioeconomic profiles. The findings of this project are meant to emphasize how structural and historical inequalities are shown in federal shortage designation areas and expand on the consequences of these disparities.