In absolute numbers, there areabout as many city-dwellers who live in doctor-deficient countiesas rural residents: 21 million compared to 23 million. (Photo:Shutterstock)

Thirteen percent of Americans –– or 44 million –– live in acounty with a shortage of primary care physicians, according to a studydone by United Healthcare. Such counties have fewerthan one physician for 2,000 residents.

A lack of nearby doctors is a far more common problem inrural areas. Thirty-eight percent of people wholive in rural areas live in a county with a physician shortage,compared to only 8 percent of those who live in urban areas.

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