The Arizona Genetic Counseling Landscape: Exploring the Impact of a Limited Genetic Counseling Workforce

Certified genetic counselors (GCs) are healthcare professionals uniquely trained to understand the complex interactions between genetics and health. As utilization of genetic testing has increased, the workforce of GCs in the United States (US) has struggled to match increasing demand. In this study, we characterized the genetic counseling workforce in Arizona as an example of a limited workforce in a geographically large, spread-out state. Analysis of the per-capita distribution of GCs across the US using data from the 2023 National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) Professional Status Survey (PSS) shows that Arizona is ranked 40 ^th out of 50 for the number of GCs per 100,000 people, despite the state’s large size and population. We then surveyed GCs residing in Arizona (N=28) to understand demographics, work environment and practices, and estimated clinic measures and compared responses to the 2023 NSGC PSS. Although certain genetic counseling subspecialties are underrepresented in Arizona, including prenatal, neurology and cardiology, there were no significant differences in the demographics, area of practice, employers, and salary between Arizona GCs and those nationwide. Results indicate low wait times and under-utilization of prenatal genetic counseling services in Arizona and long wait times and full clinic loads for pediatrics and adult general genetics clinics. Together, our results demonstrate a need for genetic counseling workforce expansion in Arizona to meet demand and address wait times. Data from this study may assist with expansion of the genetic counseling workforce as similar issues may exist in other geographically large, underserved states.