Trends in Racial/Ethnic Representation Among US Medical Students

Abstract

Key Points Question Were the Liaison Committee on Medical Education 2009 diversity accreditation guidelines associated with decreased underrepresentation of minorities in medicine? Findings In this cross-sectional study of self-reported race/ethnicity of US medical school matriculants from 2002 to 2017, numbers and proportions of black, Hispanic, and American Indian or Alaska Native medical school matriculants increased, but at a rate slower than their age-matched counterparts in the US population, resulting in increased underrepresentation. Meaning This study suggests that while absolute numbers of physicians from minority racial/ethnic groups have increased over time, the physician workforce still does not represent the demographic characteristics of the US population.

Two decades of little change: An analysis of U.S. medical school basic science faculty by sex, race/ethnicity, and academic rank

“…The self-reported demographic characteristics of interest were sex (Male and Female), race/ethnicity(Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic, Latino or of Spanish Origin, Multiple Race-Hispanic, and White). In a similar fashion to previous work, we combined Hispanic, Latino, or of Spanish Origin and those of Multiple Race-Hispanic [4]. Notably, nativity (U. S. born or non-U.…”

“…This idea has been extended to the biomedical sciences [ 2 ] that scientists from diverse backgrounds and life experiences collectively offer a unique complement of innovation, creativity, and problem-solving abilities that more effectively address complex scientific problems. Despite the added value that diversity brings to scientific endeavors, the science and medicine workforce does not reflect the diversity of our nation’s populace [ 4 – 12 ]. Further, previous work demonstrates declining racial and ethnic representation in clinical academic medical faculty [ 5 ].…”

Analysis of Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) Data Can Improve House Staff Diversity

“…Despite longstanding awareness of the value of building a diverse physician workforce, 1 projections show that the current trainee pool still will not be representative of the US population as they enter clinical practice. 2 The representation of under-represented in medicine (URM) physicians is declining in most specialties rather than improving. 3 This is alarming as it is well-established that a diverse physician workforce improves health care access for underserved populations and increases innovation in medically relevant research.…”

Seeking racial and ethnic equity among neonatologists

“…Despite these systemic efforts that have led to an increase in the number of those UIM, this growth is being outpaced by their relative growth within the general United States population resulting in a relative contraction of UIM [ 9 , 17 , 21 , 22 ]. Further, specific to pediatrics, while in 2018 the US population consisted of 60% non-Hispanic White, 6% Asian (including a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent), and 34% UIM; the AAMC reported that the racial and ethnic composition within the departments of pediatrics faculty are: 65% are non-Hispanic White, 18% Asian, and only 17% UIM [ 22 , 23 ].…”