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Reference

Sources and methodology

The statistics shown on the EndoCapacity homepage come from three separate sources examining specialist distribution, diabetes prevalence, and endocrinology workforce access.

The figures describe different aspects of patient demand and access. They should not be combined into a single estimate and may not represent every patient, state, county, or local market.

78.5% of U.S. counties have no practicing endocrinologist

Source: Endocrine Society. Medicare Physician Payment Priorities. 2024. View source

Methodology and interpretation: The Endocrine Society states that data show 78.5% of counties in the United States have no practicing endocrinologist.

This statistic measures whether a practicing endocrinologist is physically located within a county. It does not measure whether every resident is unable to obtain care.

Patients may travel across county lines, receive care from other qualified clinicians, or use telehealth when available.

The figure nevertheless demonstrates that endocrinology specialists are geographically concentrated and that many communities lack a locally based endocrinologist.

1 in 8 Americans has diabetes

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A U.S. Report Card: Diabetes in the United States. Updated 2026. View source

Methodology and interpretation: The CDC reports that 40.1 million people in the United States have diabetes, approximately one in every eight people.

This statistic demonstrates the scale of diabetes in the United States. It does not mean that every person with diabetes requires an endocrinologist.

Many people receive appropriate diabetes care through primary-care clinicians, certified diabetes care and education specialists, pharmacists, and other qualified healthcare professionals.

Documented waits of 3–9 months

Source: Stewart AF. The United States Endocrinology Workforce: A Supply-Demand Mismatch. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2008;93(4):1164–1166. DOI: 10.1210/jc.2007-1920. View source

Methodology and interpretation: This published workforce commentary stated that waits of three to nine months were commonly encountered and that many endocrinology practices were closed to new patients.

The article was published in 2008.

This figure is historical evidence of a longstanding endocrinology workforce-access problem. It is not a current nationwide appointment survey and must not be presented as the current average wait in every U.S. market.

Overall limitations

These sources measure different aspects of endocrinology access and demand:

  • The county statistic measures the geographic presence of endocrinologists.
  • The diabetes statistic measures the prevalence of a major endocrine condition.
  • The appointment-wait statistic comes from a historical workforce analysis.

Actual patient access varies based on location, condition, insurance coverage, referral requirements, specialist availability, clinical urgency, and whether virtual care is appropriate.

  • The presence or absence of an endocrinologist within a county does not, by itself, determine whether a patient can receive care.
  • The prevalence of diabetes should not be interpreted as the number of people requiring endocrinology specialist treatment.
  • The historical appointment-wait figure should not be interpreted as a current nationwide average.

If you believe a figure on our site is misrepresented or out of date, please email us at contact@endocapacity.com.