Lack of Diversity in Healthcare Professions, Explained Pt. III

Lack of Diversity in Healthcare Professions, Explained Pt. III

Lack of Diversity in Healthcare Professions, Explained Pt. III

by Allison Danish, MPH

30% of white students enrolled in kindergarten will go on to achieve an undergraduate degree. That's compared to only 17% of Black and 11% of Hispanic/Latinx kindergarten students.

Why does this matter?

Greater diversity in higher education could lead to better health outcomes for everybody.

"Over 75% of medical students found that diversity helped them to rethink their viewpoints when racial and ethnic conflicts occurred, and the same percentage felt that diversity provided them with a greater understanding of medical conditions and treatments."

But we're on a backward slide.

Affirmative action bans in 6 states have lead to a 17% decline in underrepresented BIPOC students entering medical school.



And achievement gaps remain.

By the 8th grade, the wealthiest (top 10% household income) students are 3 to 4 years ahead of the poorest (bottom 10% of household income) students.

So... what can we do? Well, change starts early.

Vote for higher quality education

Support organizations like these


Sources:

HHS AMCH, Reflecting America's Population: Diversifying a Competent Health Care Workforce for the 21st Century (2011)

Whitla, D. K. et al. Educational benefits of diversity in medical school: a survey of students (2003)

Garces, L. M. et al. Racial Diversity in the Medical Profession: The Impact of Affirmative Action Bans on Underrepresented Student of Color Matriculation in Medical Schools (2015)

Hanushek, E. A. et al. The Unwavering SES Achievement Gap: Trends in U.S. Student Performance (2019)

Leave a comment

* Required fields

Please note: comments must be approved before they are published.