12/02/2022
Estimation and Comparison of Current and Future Racial/Ethnic Representation in the US Health Care Workforce
Are Black, Hispanic, and Native American (ie, American Indian or Alaska Native) populations underrepresented in the health care professions in the US, and does the educational pipeline show greater representation of these groups in the future health care workforce?
About the Report
In this cross-sectional study of 2019 data from the American Community Survey and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, Black, Hispanic, and Native American people were underrepresented in the 10 health care professions analyzed. Although the educational pipeline shows some limited improvement, underrepresentation of these groups persists. Authors include: Edward Salsberg, MPA; Chelsea Richwine, PhD; Sara Westergaard, MD, MPH.
Findings and Meaning
Results of this study suggest that additional efforts are needed to increase the representation of Black, Hispanic, and Native American people in the health care professions; measuring and reporting on representation of these groups in the health care workforce and educational pipeline may encourage these efforts.
