The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

Behavioral Health Workforce Distribution in Socially Disadvantaged Communities

This article highlights research on the distribution of the behavioral health workforce in socially disadvantaged communities, conducted by our partners at the University of North Carolina's Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center. The research examined the geographic distribution of three types of behavioral health clinicians (BHCs) across areas of varying disadvantage in the U.S., using the Area Disadvantage Index (ADI). Results revealed that areas with higher disadvantage had fewer BHCs, with rural, high-ADI areas having the least. The study suggests that the uneven distribution of BHCs highlights the need for reforms to ensure a more equitable workforce, particularly in high-need, socially disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Researcher

Lisa de Saxe Zerden

Associate Professor - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work

Lisa De Saxe Zerden is an associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Soc... Read Bio

Researcher

Brianna Lombardi

Research Assistant Professor - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work

Brianna Lombardi is a Research Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School o... Read Bio