Abstract: SA-PO0933
Nephrology Workforce Distribution and CKD Burden in Georgia: A Statewide Analysis
Session Information
- Diversity and Equity in Kidney Health
October 24, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Diversity and Equity in Kidney Health
- 900 Diversity and Equity in Kidney Health
Authors
- Eskandari, Shervin, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, United States
- Prabakar, Avneesh, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, United States
- Murudkar, Tej, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, United States
- Shah, Dev, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, United States
- Virmani, Sharad, Georgia Nephrology, LLC, Lawrenceville, Georgia, United States
- Healy, William J., Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, United States
Background
Healthcare disparities between rural and urban regions highlight barriers to care, yet access to nephrology services in nonmetropolitan areas remains poorly characterized. This study aims to evaluate the distribution of nephrologists and dialysis centers across Georgia and examine how these patterns relate to county-level chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence.
Methods
A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using the Georgia All-Payer Claims Database to estimate CKD prevalence, the CMS Dialysis Facility Care Compare database to identify dialysis centers, and the Georgia Composite Medical Board database to locate practicing nephrologists. Using 2023 Rural-Urban Continuum Codes, counties were classified as metropolitan (codes 1-3) or nonmetropolitan (codes 4-9). Physician and facility density were calculated per population and land area, and travel burden was estimated using distances from county centroids to the nearest nephrology resource.
Results
A total of 347 nephrologists and 360 dialysis centers were identified across Georgia. Nonmetropolitan counties had a significantly higher CKD prevalence than metropolitan counties (7.02% vs 6.26%, p = 0.002). Nonmetropolitan counties also had a significantly lower nephrologist density per 100,000 residents (0.7 vs 1.8, p < 0.001) and per 100 square miles (0.06 vs 1.29, p < 0.001). Additionally, nonmetropolitan counties had significantly fewer dialysis centers per 100 square miles (0.22 vs 1.25, p < 0.001). Residents in nonmetropolitan counties also experienced significantly longer travel distances to the nearest nephrologist (15.85 vs 8.19 miles, p < 0.001) and dialysis center (9.30 vs 6.46 miles, p = 0.011).
Conclusion
In Georgia, substantial disparities exist in chronic kidney disease burden and access to nephrology care, with rural counties showing higher CKD prevalence yet markedly limited availability of nephrologists and dialysis services
Distribution of the Georgia nephrology workforce and prevalence of CKD as represented by the number of nephrologists (A), number of nephrologists per 100,000 people (B), and the prevalence of CKD (C).