LAUSR

* Abbreviation: HRSA — : Health Resources and Services Administration Poor access to child and adolescent psychiatrists has long been a concern raised by pediatricians, families, and other stakeholders. Wait times for new appointments can be many months, and families may be required to travel long distances. In the article “The Growth and Distribution of Child Psychiatrists in the United States: 2007–2016” in this issue of Pediatrics , McBain et al1 evaluate whether we have made any progress in expanding the child psychiatry workforce, both in number and distribution. They found that from 2007 to 2016, the number of child psychiatrists increased by 21%, and the number of children in the United States declined slightly. The United States now has 9.75 child psychiatrists per 100 000 children aged 0 to 19. However, they found an eightfold variation in prevalence per 100 000 children among states, ranging from a low of 3.3 in Idaho to a high of 26.5 in Massachusetts. Child psychiatrists are still concentrated in metropolitan areas; 70% of counties do not have one. There are challenges in evaluating how much the increase addresses the shortage. As the authors … Address correspondence to David Axelson, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Dr, Columbus, OH 43205. E-mail: david.axelson{at}nationwidechildrens.org