As of the end of 2007, APHA reported 26,146 members, 1,166 (4.5 percent) of whom were members of the Medical Care Section. 

Some data about our members in a mid-November membership report reveal a majority in just eight states: NewYork and California each 11%, Maryland and Massachusetts each 8%, Pennsylvania5%, Illinois and Virginia each 4%, and Texas at 3%.   Members in Canada and other continents comprise 39 (3.3 percent).  We have no section members in Montana and Wyoming.  By federal region, more than half of members are in the eastern United States. (Regions 1 to 4).

Although APHA has no academic data for 16 percent of members, a distribution among the other 84 percent of MC members shows that a majority hold terminal degrees.  Nearly a quarter hold other degrees in addition to their doctoral degrees.  

These few traits suggest a couple of directions for recruitment and retention of members:

• There should be many potential members in southern, midwestern, central and western states.
• The great proportion of members with terminal and multiple degrees might point to a relative dearth of younger members.

To be continued.

Jim Wohlleb, Membership Chair