A new study reveals that physicians who graduate from top-ranked medical schools are significantly less likely to begin their careers in socioeconomically deprived neighborhoods. Using data from over 83,000 newly licensed physicians in 2015 and 2020, researchers found that those from elite institutions had about 50% lower odds of practicing in areas ranked in the top 20% for socioeconomic disadvantage.
The study linked physician practice locations with the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), a measure that captures neighborhood-level disadvantage based on income, education, employment, and housing quality. While primary care doctors were more likely to serve in high-ADI areas, specialists—particularly those from prestigious schools—were underrepresented.
“Many medical specialties have lower representation in socioeconomically deprived areas compared with primary care,” the authors noted. This disparity may contribute to unequal access to specialized care in communities already facing systemic barriers to health.
The findings suggest that factors such as limited resources, lower income potential, and fewer professional development opportunities may deter physicians from practicing in underserved areas. The authors call for targeted initiatives to encourage more equitable distribution of medical talent, especially among specialists and graduates of top-tier programs.
Although the study did not include data on race, residency location, or student debt, it highlights a persistent gap in healthcare access that aligns with broader patterns of structural inequality.
See “Medical School Ranking and Neighborhood Characteristics of Initial Practice Location Among Physicians” (May 28, 2025)