Healthcare Workforce Shortage On Track To Nearly Double By 2040

The U.S. could be heading toward a major health workforce crisis, with estimates suggesting the shortage may nearly double by 2040. Healthcare educator Covista projects the country could be short more than 2 million healthcare workers by 2040, driven by demand growing faster than training capacity. Covista’s research links nursing solutions to nearly 100,000 cumulative lives saved by 2040 and suggests addressing the physician gap could add more than six months to patients’ average life expectancy. Experts cited by the Daily Caller News Foundation warn of reduced access and longer waits, especially in rural and underserved communities. Federal projections have also identified a shortage of 267,330 full-time registered nurses by 2028.