### Question
How is the term health professional shortage area defined?


### Answer
The term **health professional shortage area** is defined in *42 U.S.C. § 254e* as the following:

> (A) an area in an urban or rural area (which need not conform to the geographic boundaries of a political subdivision and which is a rational area for the delivery of health services) which the Secretary determines has a health manpower shortage and which is not reasonably accessible to an adequately served area, (B) a population group which the Secretary determines has such a shortage, or (C) a public or nonprofit private medical facility or other public facility which the Secretary determines has such a shortage

#### Citation:
  - *42 U.S.C. § 254e*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 6A-PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE > SUBCHAPTER II-GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES > Part D-Primary Health Care > subpart ii-national health service corps program**

