An OB/GYN, or obstetrician-gynecologist, is a doctor who specializes in women’s health. They provide care for women during menstruation, childbirth, menopause, and a variety of other female body experiences. From diagnosis, treatment, and care, OB-GYNs provide essential functions to ensuring women and their biological functions are healthy.

However, a recent research study has found that the nation could be reaching a severe shortage of OB-GYNs in the next couple years, especially in some of our larger metropolitan areas. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) estimates a shortage of 8,800 OB-GYNs by 2020, which will increase to 22,000 by 2050.

The major contributors are that the average OB-GYN age is 51, and they have heavy workloads. Only 16% of OB-GYNs are under the age of 40. The metropolitan areas with the largest workloads also have the most uninsured or Medicaid covered women, which drives down OB-GYN compensation.

OB-GYNs are one of the top specialties and are important to women’s healthcare. This looming shortage could prove to be very problematic from a women’s health standpoint.

You can read more about this here:

[Severe Ob/Gyn Shortage Looming](https://www.medpagetoday.com/obgyn/generalobgyn/73785)