Latinos, particularly Mexican Americans, are significantly underrepresented in the U.S. medical workforce, according to a recent analysis published in the journal Health Affairs. The study examined data from the 2020 American Community Survey and compared the representation of non-Latinos with various Latino groups across 15 health occupations.
The analysis revealed that while Mexican Americans made up 10.7 percent of the U.S. workforce, they accounted for just 1.77 percent of U.S. physicians. Similarly, Puerto Ricans represented 1.6 percent of the workforce but only 1.13 percent of physicians, and Cuban Americans made up 0.8 percent of the workforce but only 0.95 percent of physicians. Latinos in the “Other” category, including Latin Americans, Dominicans, and Spaniards, represented just 2.98 percent of physicians despite comprising 4.8 percent of the workforce.
These disparities persisted across medical professions that require advanced degrees, with the exception of Cuban Americans, who were overrepresented in the physician and dentist workforce compared to their share of the overall workforce. However, in medical support and personal care professions that do not require a bachelor’s degree, Mexican Americans exceeded their workforce share as medical assistants, dental assistants, phlebotomists, and home health aides. Other Latinos also made up a significant portion of personal care aides.
The underrepresentation of Latinos in the medical field is concerning because studies have shown that racially and ethnically diverse and culturally competent medical providers can help reduce healthcare disparities among minority populations. Patients from minority backgrounds report receiving better care when they see providers who share their race, ethnicity, or language. Additionally, providers from minority groups are more likely to work in areas with healthcare shortages, accept Medicaid, and spend more time with patients.
While the analysis did show some representation gains for Latinos in healthcare professions over time, the authors note that overall, Latino representation in health diagnosing and treating professions remains well below their representation in the U.S. population. The study did not explore the reasons for these disparities, but the authors suggest that factors such as structural racism, language barriers, and financial aid may play a role. They emphasize the need for efforts to diversify the healthcare workforce and provide support for Latinos in higher education and medicine.
¿Cuáles podrían ser las posibles barreras o desafíos específicos que enfrentan los mexicanoamericanos y otros grupos latinos para ingresar a la ocupación médica en los Estados Unidos
nos, en particular los mexicanoamericanos, están significativamente subrepresentados en la fuerza laboral médica de los Estados Unidos, según un análisis reciente publicado en la revista Health Affairs. El estudio examinó datos de la Encuesta de la Comunidad Estadounidense de 2020 y comparó la representación de los no latinos con diversos grupos latinos en 15 ocupaciones de la salud.
El análisis reveló que, mientras los mexicanoamericanos representaban el 10,7 por ciento de la fuerza laboral de los Estados Unidos, solo constituían el 1,77 por ciento de los médicos. De manera similar, los puertorriqueños representaban el 1,6 por ciento de la fuerza laboral, pero solo el 1,13 por ciento eran médicos, y los cubanoamericanos constituían el 0,8 por ciento de la fuerza laboral, pero solo el 0,95 por ciento eran médicos.
