{
  "slug": "maryland-county-primary-care-access-2026",
  "title": "Maryland Primary-Care Access & Health-Burden Scorecard",
  "summary": "A county-level targeting index for Maryland, fusing adult chronic-disease and social-risk prevalence (CDC PLACES) with federally designated primary-care provider shortages (HRSA). Ranks all 24 counties and independent cities by combined need so a health department or rural-health office can see where high burden and thin provider supply overlap.",
  "state": "Maryland",
  "category": "Public Health & Risk",
  "tags": [
    "public-health",
    "health-access",
    "geospatial-risk",
    "government-data",
    "maryland"
  ],
  "publishedDate": "2026-08-01",
  "accessAxisLabel": "Access & SDOH barriers",
  "generatedAt": "2026-08-01T06:58:49+00:00",
  "dataVintage": {
    "places": "PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, County Data, 2025 release (measure year 2023)",
    "hpsa": "HRSA Primary Care HPSA detail extract, accessed 2026-08-01",
    "acs": "ACS 2019-2023 5-year estimates"
  },
  "methodology": "A Health-Burden axis is built from CDC PLACES crude adult prevalence (diagnosed diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, fair or poor self-rated health, frequent physical distress). An Access & SDOH barriers axis combines uninsured (adults 18-64), lack of reliable transportation, food insecurity, housing insecurity, below poverty (acs), households without a vehicle (acs) (Census ACS measures join CDC PLACES here). Each measure is min-max normalized across the state's counties and independent cities to 0-100, then averaged within its axis. A Provider-Shortage axis scales each county-level's worst designated primary-care HPSA score against the HRSA 0-26 severity scale. The combined Targeting-Priority Index is the equal-weighted mean of the three axes. PLACES values are model-based estimates with confidence intervals (carried per county-level), not direct counts. Scores are relative WITHIN Maryland: a 100 marks the worst county-level in the state on that axis, not a national benchmark.",
  "limitations": [
    "Scores are intra-state relative, not absolute or cross-state comparable.",
    "PLACES values are small-area model-based estimates with confidence intervals, not direct counts.",
    "HPSA aggregation takes the worst designated primary-care score per county-level; geographic, population-group, and facility designations are pooled.",
    "Equal axis weighting is a transparent default, not a calibrated policy model.",
    "Socioeconomic measures are ACS 2019-2023 5-year estimates; ACS estimates carry margins of error not reflected in the composite.",
    "This is informational analysis of public data, not clinical, individual, or actuarial advice."
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "name": "CDC PLACES — Local Data for Better Health (County Data)",
      "dataset": "PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, County Data, 2025 release (measure year 2023)",
      "url": "https://www.cdc.gov/places/",
      "apiUrl": "https://data.cdc.gov/resource/swc5-untb.json",
      "accessedDate": "2026-08-01"
    },
    {
      "name": "HRSA — Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas",
      "dataset": "Shortage Area HPSA detail (Primary Care discipline, designated)",
      "url": "https://data.hrsa.gov/data/download",
      "accessedDate": "2026-08-01"
    },
    {
      "name": "U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey (5-year)",
      "dataset": "ACS 2019-2023 5-year estimates",
      "url": "https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/",
      "apiUrl": "https://api.census.gov/data/2023/acs/acs5",
      "accessedDate": "2026-08-01"
    }
  ],
  "measures": {
    "burden": [
      {
        "id": "DIABETES",
        "label": "Diagnosed diabetes"
      },
      {
        "id": "OBESITY",
        "label": "Obesity"
      },
      {
        "id": "BPHIGH",
        "label": "High blood pressure"
      },
      {
        "id": "CHD",
        "label": "Coronary heart disease"
      },
      {
        "id": "GHLTH",
        "label": "Fair or poor self-rated health"
      },
      {
        "id": "PHLTH",
        "label": "Frequent physical distress"
      }
    ],
    "access": [
      {
        "id": "ACCESS2",
        "label": "Uninsured (adults 18-64)"
      },
      {
        "id": "LACKTRPT",
        "label": "Lack of reliable transportation"
      },
      {
        "id": "FOODINSECU",
        "label": "Food insecurity"
      },
      {
        "id": "HOUSINSECU",
        "label": "Housing insecurity"
      },
      {
        "id": "ACS_POVERTY",
        "label": "Below poverty (ACS)"
      },
      {
        "id": "ACS_NOVEHICLE",
        "label": "Households without a vehicle (ACS)"
      }
    ]
  },
  "stats": {
    "counties": 24,
    "countiesWithHpsa": 22,
    "countiesWithHpsaPct": 92,
    "medianDiabetes": 13.1,
    "diabetesMin": {
      "county": "Carroll",
      "value": 10.3
    },
    "diabetesMax": {
      "county": "Dorchester",
      "value": 16.6
    },
    "medianUninsured": 7.9
  },
  "keyFindings": [
    "22 of Maryland's 24 counties and independent cities (92%) fall within a federally designated primary-care Health Professional Shortage Area.",
    "Adult diagnosed-diabetes prevalence ranges from 10.3% in Carroll County to 16.6% in Dorchester County, a 6.3-point spread within a single state.",
    "Baltimore city carries the highest combined targeting-priority index (84.7/100), led by its access & sdoh barriers score.",
    "The median county-level uninsured rate (adults 18-64) is 7.9%, and the median adult diabetes prevalence is 13.1%."
  ],
  "counties": [
    {
      "fips": "24510",
      "name": "Baltimore city",
      "population": 565239,
      "priorityIndex": 84.7,
      "burdenScore": 67.8,
      "accessScore": 94.1,
      "shortageScore": 92.3,
      "topDriver": "Access & SDOH barriers",
      "hpsaMaxScore": 24,
      "hpsaDesignations": 193,
      "raw": {
        "DIABETES": 14.4,
        "OBESITY": 38.7,
        "BPHIGH": 40.6,
        "CHD": 6.4,
        "GHLTH": 23.0,
        "PHLTH": 13.8,
        "ACCESS2": 10.1,
        "LACKTRPT": 12.7,
        "FOODINSECU": 25.2,
        "HOUSINSECU": 21.4,
        "ACS_POVERTY": 20.1,
        "ACS_NOVEHICLE": 26.6
      },
      "ci": {
        "DIABETES": {
          "lo": 12.8,
          "hi": 16.3
        },
        "OBESITY": {
          "lo": 34.6,
          "hi": 43.4
        },
        "BPHIGH": {
          "lo": 37.9,
          "hi": 43.7
        },
        "CHD": {
          "lo": 5.6,
          "hi": 7.2
        },
        "GHLTH": {
          "lo": 20.0,
          "hi": 26.5
        },
        "PHLTH": {
          "lo": 12.2,
          "hi": 15.8
        },
        "ACCESS2": {
          "lo": 7.8,
          "hi": 12.5
        },
        "LACKTRPT": {
          "lo": 10.6,
          "hi": 14.9
        },
        "FOODINSECU": {
          "lo": 20.7,
          "hi": 30.0
        },
        "HOUSINSECU": {
          "lo": 17.9,
          "hi": 25.2
        }
      },
      "rank": 1
    },
    {
      "fips": "24039",
      "name": "Somerset",
      "population": 24910,
      "priorityIndex": 77.3,
      "burdenScore": 78.5,
      "accessScore": 76.5,
      "shortageScore": 76.9,
      "topDriver": "Health burden",
      "hpsaMaxScore": 20,
      "hpsaDesignations": 1,
      "raw": {
        "DIABETES": 14.2,
        "OBESITY": 38.4,
        "BPHIGH": 42.7,
        "CHD": 7.5,
        "GHLTH": 23.8,
        "PHLTH": 14.9,
        "ACCESS2": 10.9,
        "LACKTRPT": 12.1,
        "FOODINSECU": 23.4,
        "HOUSINSECU": 18.8,
        "ACS_POVERTY": 20.1,
        "ACS_NOVEHICLE": 8.3
      },
      "ci": {
        "DIABETES": {
          "lo": 12.4,
          "hi": 16.1
        },
        "OBESITY": {
          "lo": 32.2,
          "hi": 44.8
        },
        "BPHIGH": {
          "lo": 38.8,
          "hi": 46.5
        },
        "CHD": {
          "lo": 6.7,
          "hi": 8.4
        },
        "GHLTH": {
          "lo": 20.5,
          "hi": 27.3
        },
        "PHLTH": {
          "lo": 13.1,
          "hi": 16.9
        },
        "ACCESS2": {
          "lo": 8.6,
          "hi": 13.6
        },
        "LACKTRPT": {
          "lo": 10.2,
          "hi": 14.1
        },
        "FOODINSECU": {
          "lo": 19.3,
          "hi": 27.5
        },
        "HOUSINSECU": {
          "lo": 15.8,
          "hi": 22.0
        }
      },
      "rank": 2
    },
    {
      "fips": "24019",
      "name": "Dorchester",
      "population": 32879,
      "priorityIndex": 77.0,
      "burdenScore": 99.6,
      "accessScore": 58.4,
      "shortageScore": 73.1,
      "topDriver": "Health burden",
      "hpsaMaxScore": 19,
      "hpsaDesignations": 1,
      "raw": {
        "DIABETES": 16.6,
        "OBESITY": 41.8,
        "BPHIGH": 44.2,
        "CHD": 8.7,
        "GHLTH": 24.1,
        "PHLTH": 16.3,
        "ACCESS2": 10.1,
        "LACKTRPT": 9.8,
        "FOODINSECU": 19.3,
        "HOUSINSECU": 15.6,
        "ACS_POVERTY": 16.3,
        "ACS_NOVEHICLE": 10.1
      },
      "ci": {
        "DIABETES": {
          "lo": 14.6,
          "hi": 18.8
        },
        "OBESITY": {
          "lo": 35.9,
          "hi": 47.7
        },
        "BPHIGH": {
          "lo": 40.5,
          "hi": 47.8
        },
        "CHD": {
          "lo": 7.6,
          "hi": 9.8
        },
        "GHLTH": {
          "lo": 20.8,
          "hi": 27.6
        },
        "PHLTH": {
          "lo": 14.2,
          "hi": 18.4
        },
        "ACCESS2": {
          "lo": 8.2,
          "hi": 12.4
        },
        "LACKTRPT": {
          "lo": 8.5,
          "hi": 11.2
        },
        "FOODINSECU": {
          "lo": 16.1,
          "hi": 22.5
        },
        "HOUSINSECU": {
          "lo": 13.3,
          "hi": 18.1
        }
      },
      "rank": 3
    },
    {
      "fips": "24033",
      "name": "Prince George's",
      "population": 947430,
      "priorityIndex": 71.3,
      "burdenScore": 62.9,
      "accessScore": 66.3,
      "shortageScore": 84.6,
      "topDriver": "Provider shortage",
      "hpsaMaxScore": 22,
      "hpsaDesignations": 103,
      "raw": {
        "DIABETES": 15.2,
        "OBESITY": 42.2,
        "BPHIGH": 40.0,
        "CHD": 5.5,
        "GHLTH": 20.9,
        "PHLTH": 12.6,
        "ACCESS2": 12.5,
        "LACKTRPT": 10.3,
        "FOODINSECU": 22.1,
        "HOUSINSECU": 19.5,
        "ACS_POVERTY": 10.2,
        "ACS_NOVEHICLE": 9.2
      },
      "ci": {
        "DIABETES": {
          "lo": 13.5,
          "hi": 16.9
        },
        "OBESITY": {
          "lo": 38.2,
          "hi": 46.3
        },
        "BPHIGH": {
          "lo": 37.4,
          "hi": 42.6
        },
        "CHD": {
          "lo": 4.8,
          "hi": 6.1
        },
        "GHLTH": {
          "lo": 18.0,
          "hi": 24.1
        },
        "PHLTH": {
          "lo": 10.9,
          "hi": 14.3
        },
        "ACCESS2": {
          "lo": 10.0,
          "hi": 15.3
        },
        "LACKTRPT": {
          "lo": 8.6,
          "hi": 11.9
        },
        "FOODINSECU": {
          "lo": 18.2,
          "hi": 26.1
        },
        "HOUSINSECU": {
          "lo": 16.4,
          "hi": 22.7
        }
      },
      "rank": 4
    },
    {
      "fips": "24011",
      "name": "Caroline",
      "population": 33593,
      "priorityIndex": 69.1,
      "burdenScore": 79.6,
      "accessScore": 50.8,
      "shortageScore": 76.9,
      "topDriver": "Health burden",
      "hpsaMaxScore": 20,
      "hpsaDesignations": 2,
      "raw": {
        "DIABETES": 14.2,
        "OBESITY": 41.7,
        "BPHIGH": 41.3,
        "CHD": 7.7,
        "GHLTH": 22.3,
        "PHLTH": 15.3,
        "ACCESS2": 10.6,
        "LACKTRPT": 9.4,
        "FOODINSECU": 19.2,
        "HOUSINSECU": 15.2,
        "ACS_POVERTY": 12.4,
        "ACS_NOVEHICLE": 5.6
      },
      "ci": {
        "DIABETES": {
          "lo": 12.4,
          "hi": 16.2
        },
        "OBESITY": {
          "lo": 36.0,
          "hi": 47.7
        },
        "BPHIGH": {
          "lo": 37.6,
          "hi": 45.0
        },
        "CHD": {
          "lo": 6.8,
          "hi": 8.8
        },
        "GHLTH": {
          "lo": 19.1,
          "hi": 26.1
        },
        "PHLTH": {
          "lo": 13.4,
          "hi": 17.5
        },
        "ACCESS2": {
          "lo": 8.6,
          "hi": 13.1
        },
        "LACKTRPT": {
          "lo": 7.9,
          "hi": 10.8
        },
        "FOODINSECU": {
          "lo": 15.7,
          "hi": 22.8
        },
        "HOUSINSECU": {
          "lo": 12.7,
          "hi": 17.7
        }
      },
      "rank": 5
    },
    {
      "fips": "24001",
      "name": "Allegany",
      "population": 67273,
      "priorityIndex": 63.8,
      "burdenScore": 71.4,
      "accessScore": 50.8,
      "shortageScore": 69.2,
      "topDriver": "Health burden",
      "hpsaMaxScore": 18,
      "hpsaDesignations": 2,
      "raw": {
        "DIABETES": 13.3,
        "OBESITY": 36.6,
        "BPHIGH": 39.6,
        "CHD": 7.9,
        "GHLTH": 22.7,
        "PHLTH": 15.5,
        "ACCESS2": 9.4,
        "LACKTRPT": 8.8,
        "FOODINSECU": 18.0,
        "HOUSINSECU": 13.6,
        "ACS_POVERTY": 17.2,
        "ACS_NOVEHICLE": 9.2
      },
      "ci": {
        "DIABETES": {
          "lo": 11.6,
          "hi": 15.1
        },
        "OBESITY": {
          "lo": 31.8,
          "hi": 41.2
        },
        "BPHIGH": {
          "lo": 36.5,
          "hi": 42.7
        },
        "CHD": {
          "lo": 6.9,
          "hi": 9.0
        },
        "GHLTH": {
          "lo": 19.5,
          "hi": 26.4
        },
        "PHLTH": {
          "lo": 13.5,
          "hi": 17.8
        },
        "ACCESS2": {
          "lo": 7.4,
          "hi": 11.8
        },
        "LACKTRPT": {
          "lo": 7.4,
          "hi": 10.3
        },
        "FOODINSECU": {
          "lo": 14.4,
          "hi": 21.7
        },
        "HOUSINSECU": {
          "lo": 11.2,
          "hi": 16.0
        }
      },
      "rank": 6
    },
    {
      "fips": "24043",
      "name": "Washington",
      "population": 155813,
      "priorityIndex": 62.2,
      "burdenScore": 63.8,
      "accessScore": 42.1,
      "shortageScore": 80.8,
      "topDriver": "Provider shortage",
      "hpsaMaxScore": 21,
      "hpsaDesignations": 3,
      "raw": {
        "DIABETES": 13.3,
        "OBESITY": 39.0,
        "BPHIGH": 38.9,
        "CHD": 7.2,
        "GHLTH": 20.5,
        "PHLTH": 14.3,
        "ACCESS2": 9.4,
        "LACKTRPT": 8.4,
        "FOODINSECU": 15.9,
        "HOUSINSECU": 13.6,
        "ACS_POVERTY": 12.5,
        "ACS_NOVEHICLE": 8.2
      },
      "ci": {
        "DIABETES": {
          "lo": 11.8,
          "hi": 15.0
        },
        "OBESITY": {
          "lo": 35.0,
          "hi": 42.9
        },
        "BPHIGH": {
          "lo": 36.1,
          "hi": 41.5
        },
        "CHD": {
          "lo": 6.3,
          "hi": 8.2
        },
        "GHLTH": {
          "lo": 17.6,
          "hi": 23.6
        },
        "PHLTH": {
          "lo": 12.5,
          "hi": 16.2
        },
        "ACCESS2": {
          "lo": 7.5,
          "hi": 11.6
        },
        "LACKTRPT": {
          "lo": 7.1,
          "hi": 9.7
        },
        "FOODINSECU": {
          "lo": 13.0,
          "hi": 18.9
        },
        "HOUSINSECU": {
          "lo": 11.6,
          "hi": 15.9
        }
      },
      "rank": 7
    },
    {
      "fips": "24045",
      "name": "Wicomico",
      "population": 104800,
      "priorityIndex": 59.3,
      "burdenScore": 53.8,
      "accessScore": 43.4,
      "shortageScore": 80.8,
      "topDriver": "Provider shortage",
      "hpsaMaxScore": 21,
      "hpsaDesignations": 2,
      "raw": {
        "DIABETES": 12.6,
        "OBESITY": 39.6,
        "BPHIGH": 36.7,
        "CHD": 6.5,
        "GHLTH": 20.7,
        "PHLTH": 13.1,
        "ACCESS2": 9.1,
        "LACKTRPT": 9.0,
        "FOODINSECU": 16.7,
        "HOUSINSECU": 13.4,
        "ACS_POVERTY": 14.0,
        "ACS_NOVEHICLE": 6.1
      },
      "ci": {
        "DIABETES": {
          "lo": 11.1,
          "hi": 14.1
        },
        "OBESITY": {
          "lo": 35.3,
          "hi": 44.1
        },
        "BPHIGH": {
          "lo": 33.9,
          "hi": 39.6
        },
        "CHD": {
          "lo": 5.7,
          "hi": 7.3
        },
        "GHLTH": {
          "lo": 17.9,
          "hi": 23.7
        },
        "PHLTH": {
          "lo": 11.4,
          "hi": 15.0
        },
        "ACCESS2": {
          "lo": 7.4,
          "hi": 11.3
        },
        "LACKTRPT": {
          "lo": 7.6,
          "hi": 10.4
        },
        "FOODINSECU": {
          "lo": 13.8,
          "hi": 19.6
        },
        "HOUSINSECU": {
          "lo": 11.2,
          "hi": 15.4
        }
      },
      "rank": 8
    },
    {
      "fips": "24023",
      "name": "Garrett",
      "population": 28423,
      "priorityIndex": 56.2,
      "burdenScore": 75.4,
      "accessScore": 24.0,
      "shortageScore": 69.2,
      "topDriver": "Health burden",
      "hpsaMaxScore": 18,
      "hpsaDesignations": 2,
      "raw": {
        "DIABETES": 14.1,
        "OBESITY": 36.3,
        "BPHIGH": 42.4,
        "CHD": 8.3,
        "GHLTH": 21.0,
        "PHLTH": 15.0,
        "ACCESS2": 7.9,
        "LACKTRPT": 6.6,
        "FOODINSECU": 12.3,
        "HOUSINSECU": 9.9,
        "ACS_POVERTY": 11.0,
        "ACS_NOVEHICLE": 7.6
      },
      "ci": {
        "DIABETES": {
          "lo": 12.2,
          "hi": 16.2
        },
        "OBESITY": {
          "lo": 31.0,
          "hi": 42.2
        },
        "BPHIGH": {
          "lo": 38.7,
          "hi": 46.3
        },
        "CHD": {
          "lo": 7.3,
          "hi": 9.6
        },
        "GHLTH": {
          "lo": 17.5,
          "hi": 25.0
        },
        "PHLTH": {
          "lo": 12.9,
          "hi": 17.4
        },
        "ACCESS2": {
          "lo": 5.8,
          "hi": 10.4
        },
        "LACKTRPT": {
          "lo": 5.4,
          "hi": 7.8
        },
        "FOODINSECU": {
          "lo": 9.4,
          "hi": 15.6
        },
        "HOUSINSECU": {
          "lo": 7.9,
          "hi": 12.1
        }
      },
      "rank": 9
    },
    {
      "fips": "24015",
      "name": "Cecil",
      "population": 105672,
      "priorityIndex": 55.0,
      "burdenScore": 61.8,
      "accessScore": 26.2,
      "shortageScore": 76.9,
      "topDriver": "Provider shortage",
      "hpsaMaxScore": 20,
      "hpsaDesignations": 2,
      "raw": {
        "DIABETES": 13.2,
        "OBESITY": 41.3,
        "BPHIGH": 39.2,
        "CHD": 6.6,
        "GHLTH": 19.6,
        "PHLTH": 14.0,
        "ACCESS2": 8.0,
        "LACKTRPT": 7.1,
        "FOODINSECU": 13.3,
        "HOUSINSECU": 11.4,
        "ACS_POVERTY": 10.9,
        "ACS_NOVEHICLE": 4.8
      },
      "ci": {
        "DIABETES": {
          "lo": 11.6,
          "hi": 15.0
        },
        "OBESITY": {
          "lo": 36.5,
          "hi": 46.0
        },
        "BPHIGH": {
          "lo": 36.1,
          "hi": 42.4
        },
        "CHD": {
          "lo": 5.8,
          "hi": 7.5
        },
        "GHLTH": {
          "lo": 16.7,
          "hi": 22.8
        },
        "PHLTH": {
          "lo": 12.1,
          "hi": 16.0
        },
        "ACCESS2": {
          "lo": 6.3,
          "hi": 10.0
        },
        "LACKTRPT": {
          "lo": 6.0,
          "hi": 8.5
        },
        "FOODINSECU": {
          "lo": 10.6,
          "hi": 16.3
        },
        "HOUSINSECU": {
          "lo": 9.4,
          "hi": 13.8
        }
      },
      "rank": 10
    },
    {
      "fips": "24029",
      "name": "Kent",
      "population": 19303,
      "priorityIndex": 51.0,
      "burdenScore": 66.1,
      "accessScore": 21.6,
      "shortageScore": 65.4,
      "topDriver": "Health burden",
      "hpsaMaxScore": 17,
      "hpsaDesignations": 1,
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        "OBESITY": 30.0,
        "BPHIGH": 34.5,
        "CHD": 4.8,
        "GHLTH": 12.4,
        "PHLTH": 9.5,
        "ACCESS2": 5.7,
        "LACKTRPT": 5.3,
        "FOODINSECU": 9.4,
        "HOUSINSECU": 8.7,
        "ACS_POVERTY": 5.1,
        "ACS_NOVEHICLE": 3.9
      },
      "ci": {
        "DIABETES": {
          "lo": 9.1,
          "hi": 11.8
        },
        "OBESITY": {
          "lo": 26.2,
          "hi": 34.2
        },
        "BPHIGH": {
          "lo": 31.6,
          "hi": 37.5
        },
        "CHD": {
          "lo": 4.2,
          "hi": 5.4
        },
        "GHLTH": {
          "lo": 10.5,
          "hi": 14.6
        },
        "PHLTH": {
          "lo": 8.2,
          "hi": 10.9
        },
        "ACCESS2": {
          "lo": 4.6,
          "hi": 7.1
        },
        "LACKTRPT": {
          "lo": 4.5,
          "hi": 6.3
        },
        "FOODINSECU": {
          "lo": 7.5,
          "hi": 11.5
        },
        "HOUSINSECU": {
          "lo": 7.2,
          "hi": 10.4
        }
      },
      "rank": 24
    }
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "question": "What does the Maryland county-level health-access scorecard measure?",
      "answer": "It ranks all 24 Maryland counties and independent cities by a combined Targeting-Priority Index that fuses adult chronic-disease and social-risk prevalence from CDC PLACES with federally designated primary-care provider shortages from HRSA, highlighting where health need and thin provider supply overlap."
    },
    {
      "question": "Which public datasets is it built from?",
      "answer": "CDC PLACES county estimates (PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, County Data, 2025 release, measure year 2023) and the HRSA Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Area detail file, both fully open federal sources accessed 2026-08-01."
    },
    {
      "question": "How should the Targeting-Priority Index be used?",
      "answer": "As a transparent first-pass screen for where to focus outreach, workforce, or program resources. Scores are relative within the state and equal-weighted by default; a real engagement would calibrate weights to a program's goals and add socioeconomic and utilization layers."
    }
  ],
  "contentHash": "0887538c88938e11"
}
