Latinos underrepresented among physicians, overrepresented as aides

Latinos — especially Mexican Americans — remain underrepresented in the U.S. medical workforce, according to a recent analysis. The, published in the journal Health Affairs, found that Latino and Hispanic groups are underrepresented in medical professions that require advanced degrees and overrepresented in similar professions that don’t require a bachelor’s or higher degree.

During the survey period, Mexican Americans made up 10.7 percent of the U.S. workforce but just 1.77 percent of U.S. physicians. In addition, Puerto Ricans were 1.6 percent of the workforce but 1.13 percent of physicians, while Cuban Americans made up 0.8 percent of the workforce but 0.95 percent of physicians. Despite being 4.8 percent of the workforce, Latinos in the “Other” category represented just 2.98 percent of physicians.

The story was different in medical support and personal care professions requiring less than a bachelor’s degree. There, Mexican Americans outpaced their workforce share as medical assistants , dental assistants , phlebotomists and home health aides . Other Latinos made up 9.97 percent of all personal care aides, despite accounting for less than 5 percent of the workforce.

Although the study did not examine the reasons for these disparities, its authors write that everything from structural racism to language barriers and financial aid may play a part. They call for more attempts to diversify the health-care workforce and support Latinos in higher education and medicine.

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