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School Deserts: The Silent Threat Undermining America’s Clinical Workforce

A New Report from Clasp Exposes the Hidden Threat Behind Staffing Shortages in Rural Hospitals

School Deserts Report - Lead Capture

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Across the U.S., rural and underserved communities are grappling with critical shortages of respiratory therapists, radiologic techs, surgical techs, and more. But the problem doesn’t start in the hiring process—it starts in the classroom.

Clasp’s School Deserts Report reveals a national blind spot: entire regions lack access to accredited allied health training programs. Without schools, there are no students. Without students, no future workforce.

What's inside:

  • Which states and counties are hardest hit by training access gaps
  • Real-world impacts on rural hospitals, from care delays to traveler dependence
  • Data visualizations showing role-specific shortages and program concentrations
  • A tactical playbook for health systems to build local pipelines and retain talent

Allied health roles make up nearly 60% of the healthcare workforce—but training gaps threaten care delivery.

Clasp’s School Deserts report shows where the risks are—and what to do next.

📥 Download the report to start building a stronger pipeline.

About Clasp

for Healthcare Employers

Clasp is on a mission to tackle the healthcare talent shortage. We help healthcare organizations, systems, and hospitals across the country reach talent earlier, keep them longer, and invest in them smarter — drastically reducing turnover and the traditional costs of recruiting.

How? Through innovative recruiting programs that leverage student loan repayment and in-school employment commitments to attract and retain talent before they even graduate.

Learn More