Analyzing Racial Disparities in the US Healthcare Professions.

As the US population increases and diversifies, the need to increase the number of racial/ ethnic minorities in healthcare becomes urgent. Researchers have found that minority health professionals are essential to minority patients' access to quality healthcare. We reviewed the literature addressing the underrepresentation of minorities in the US healthcare professions, especially among medical students and faculty. It largely attributes the problem to inadequate primary education for minority students; lack of minority representation in healthcare education; and the financial burden of attending health professional schools. It also finds that inequitable access to healthcare services and minorities' distrust of their culturally different health providers explain deep disparities in healthcare outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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