Mapping Pre-Health Shadowing’s Reach Across the United States
Mapping Pre-Health Shadowing’s Reach Across the United States
Since its launch in 2020, Pre-Health Shadowing (PHS) has connected tens of thousands of aspiring healthcare professionals to virtual shadowing opportunities that remove barriers of geography and access.
To better understand where these students are coming from, we analyzed U.S.-based website activity from October 2024 to October 2025. Using U.S. Census Bureau population thresholds, we categorized each city by region type — Rural, Urban Cluster, or Metropolitan — based on population size.
Geographic Distribution of PHS Users (U.S. Only)
| Classification | Population Range | % of U.S. Users |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan | ≥ 50,000 | 37.4% |
| Urban Cluster | 2,500 – 49,999 | 17.1% |
| Rural | < 2,500 | 45.5% |
| Total | — | 100% |
This dataset includes 5,541 unique U.S. cities and reflects activity from 70,831 U.S.-based users on the Pre-Health Shadowing website. The classification follows official Census definitions: “Metropolitan” for large cities, “Urban Cluster” for mid-sized towns, and “Rural” for communities with fewer than 2,500 residents.
Where Students Are Connecting From
As expected, major metropolitan centers such as New York, Los Angeles, San Jose, Chicago, and Houston remain the top contributors to PHS’s traffic, reflecting the strong presence of pre-health students in large urban universities.
However, the data also shows consistent participation from smaller cities and towns — regions that typically face limited access to in-person shadowing opportunities. This reinforces the program’s founding mission: to make healthcare exposure accessible to every student, regardless of where they live.
Understanding the “Rural” Category
A significant share of total traffic (≈45%) originates from areas classified as rural by Census definitions. This number likely includes users connected through internet routing hubs or regional data centers (for example, Boydton, VA and Ashburn, VA) rather than strictly rural communities.
Even accounting for that, the reach remains impressive — showing that students across all regions, including smaller and underserved areas, are accessing PHS resources.
Top Cities Driving Traffic
Metropolitan Regions
- New York, NY – 4,662 users
- San Jose, CA – 3,560 users
- Los Angeles, CA – 3,427 users
Urban Clusters
- Ashburn, VA – 4,294 users
- Moses Lake, WA – 2,480 users
- Independence, KS – 353 users
Rural Areas
- Boydton, VA – 1,998 users
- Several other small U.S. towns contributed lower but consistent traffic.
Key Insights
- Accessibility Across Regions: Nearly half of all U.S. traffic comes from outside major metro areas, demonstrating how virtual shadowing reaches students far beyond traditional academic hubs.
- Equity in Opportunity: PHS’s online model bridges access gaps for students who might not have hospitals or clinics nearby that accept in-person shadows.
- Nationwide Engagement: The data confirms that students across every type of community — metropolitan, suburban, and rural — are taking advantage of virtual shadowing experiences to prepare for healthcare careers.
Conclusion
The data affirms that Pre-Health Shadowing’s impact extends across every region of the United States. While large urban centers remain key contributors, the high engagement from small towns and rural areas highlights how virtual education can make healthcare learning more equitable.
By continuing to expand outreach and partnerships, PHS is redefining what access to shadowing looks like — turning geography into opportunity for students everywhere.
