In 2001, there were 336 IHS medical officers (Allopathic and Osteopathic Physicians) in the Arizona. One of the limitations of the IHS data provided is it does not identify the physician’s specialty area or those who are in administrative positions and not providing direct patient services. There was an increase of 22 (7.0%) medical officers from 1999 to 2001 (Figure 1 and Table 3a). The state’s active licensed physicians had decreased by 0.9 percent. The Phoenix IHS Area had the largest number increase (11 and 6.8%), while the Tucson IHS Area had largest percentage increase (9 and 52.9%) during the three-year period. The ratio of medical officers to 100,000 user population was 142.5 in 2001 (Figure 2). The Phoenix Area had the highest medical officers to 100,000 user population ratio (178.2), followed by the Navajo Area (119.1).

Physician Assistants

There were 17 IHS physician assistants (PAs) in Arizona in 2001. This was a decrease of 7 physician assistants (-29.2%) between 1999 and 2001 (Figure 3 and Table 3b). During this same period, the state’s active licensed PA had increased by 32.0 percent. The greatest number decreases occurred in the Phoenix Area (-5 and -45.4%) and greatest percentage decreases occurred in the Tucson Area (-2 and -50.0%). In 2001, the ratio of physician assistants to 100,000 user population was 7.2 (Figure 4). The two Arizona IHS Areas that had the highest PA to 100,000 user population ratio were Tucson Area (8.5) and Navajo Area (7.8).

Nurses

In 2001, there were 853 IHS nurses (Registered and Advanced Practice Nurses) in the state.  The IHS does not distinguish between registered and advanced practice nurses. There was an increase of 32 (3.9%) nurses from 1999 to 2001 (Figure 5 and Table 3c), while the state’s active licensed nurses increased by 13.0 percent. The Phoenix IHS Area had the largest number increase (29 and 7.0%), while the Navajo IHS Area had a number decrease (-1 and -0.3%) during the three-year period. The ratio of nurses to 100,000 user population was 361.8 in 2001 (Figure 6). The Phoenix Area had the highest nurse to 100,000 user population ratio (460.1), followed by the Navajo Area (318.5). 

Dentists

There were 60 IHS dentists in Arizona in 2001. This was an increase of 7 dentists (13.2%) between 1999 and 2001 (Figure 7 and Table 3d). During this same period, the state’s active licensed dentists had increased by 3.2 percent. The greatest number increases occurred in both the Phoenix Area (3 and 11.5%) and Tucson Area (3 and 100.0%). In 2001, the ratio of dentists to 100,000 user population was 25.4 (Figure 8). The two Arizona IHS Areas that had the highest dentists to 100,000 user population ratio were Phoenix Area (30.1) and Tucson Area (25.6).

Pharmacists

In 2001, there were 99 IHS pharmacists in the state. This was an increase of 25 (33.8%) pharmacists from 1999 to 2001 (Figure 9 and Table 3e). The state’s active licensed pharmacists had increased by 15.0 percent. The Phoenix IHS Area had the largest number increase (19 and 46.3%), while the Tucson IHS Area had largest percentage increase (4 and 133.3%) during the three-year period. The ratio of pharmacists to 100,000 user population was 42.0 in 2001 (Figure 10). The Phoenix Area had the highest pharmacists to 100,000 user population ratio (62.2), followed by the Navajo Area (29.9).

Psychologists

There were 9 IHS psychologists in Arizona in 2001. This was an increase of 5 psychologists (125.0%) between 1999 and 2001 (Figure 11 and Table 3f). During this same period, the state’s active licensed psychologists had increased by 8.9 percent. The greatest number increases occurred in the Phoenix Area (4 and 200.0%). There was no psychologist in the Tucson Area. In 2001, the ratio of psychologists to 100,000 user population was 3.8. (Figure 12). The highest ratio of psychologists to 100,000 user population was in the Phoenix Area (6.2).

Social Workers

In 2001, there were 36 IHS social workers in the state. This was an increase of 6 (20.0%) social workers from 1999 to 2001 (Figure 13 and Table 3g). The Phoenix IHS Area had the largest number increase (4 and 26.7%) during the three-year period. The ratio of social workers to 100,000 user population was 15.3 in 2001 (Figure 14). The Tucson Area had the highest social workers to 100,000 user population ratio (21.4), followed by the Navajo Area (19.7).