The number of students entering medical school in the United States rose 2.2 percent last year, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. That increase falls far short of the 30 percent needed to meet future U.S. needs, the association said.

According to the report released yesterday, 17,400 students enrolled in medical school this year, and nine schools saw enrollment jump by 10 percent or more. Applications to medical school rose 4.6 percent, it said.

"These latest figures clearly indicate that medicine remains a compelling career option for more and more well-qualified students," association president Darrell G. Kirch, M.D., said in a statement. "With the looming doctor shortage, these results are good news indeed, and we hope this encouraging trend continues."

Factors contributing to the shortage of physicians, including the growing U.S. population, which reached 300 million this week, an increasing number of people older than 65 and the expectations people have for healthcare, an association statement released in June said. In addition, one of every three active doctors is 55 or older and will likely be retired by 2020.

"A shortage of doctors would have a profound impact on all Americans by affecting access to quality healthcare," said association past president Jordan Cohen.