Latinos — especially Mexican Americans — remain underrepresented in the U.S. medical workforce, according to a recent analysis published in the journal Health Affairs. The study 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.
The research utilized data from the 2020 American Community Survey, which included demographic information compiled by the Census Bureau between 2016 and 2020. The study compared the representation of non-Latinos with Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans, and a category of “Other Latinos,” including Latin Americans, Dominicans, and Spaniards, across 15 health occupations.
The findings revealed significant disparities in degree-holding medical professions. Mexican Americans accounted for 10.7 percent of the U.S. workforce but only 1.77 percent of U.S. physicians. Similarly, Puerto Ricans represented 1.6 percent of the workforce but only 1.13 percent of physicians, while Cuban Americans made up 0.8 percent of the workforce but 0.95 percent of physicians. Latinos in the “Other” category, despite constituting 4.8 percent of the workforce, represented just 2.98 percent of physicians.
However, the study highlighted the exception of Cuban Americans, whose portion of the physician and dentist workforce exceeded their total share of the U.S. workforce.
In contrast, when it came to medical support and personal care professions that require less than a bachelor’s degree, Mexican Americans outpaced their share of the workforce in roles such as medical assistants, dental assistants, phlebotomists, and home health aides. Other Latinos also made up a significant percentage of personal care aides, despite accounting for less than 5 percent of the workforce.
The underrepresentation of Latino health-care workers raises concerns as research suggests that racially and ethnically diverse and culturally competent medical providers can help reduce health-care disparities among minority populations. Patients from minority backgrounds often report receiving better care when they see providers from similar racial, ethnic, or language backgrounds. Additionally, providers from minority groups are also more likely to work in areas with health-care shortages, accept Medicaid, and spend more time with patients.
Although the study did not investigate the reasons for these disparities, the authors speculate that structural racism, language barriers, and financial aid may contribute. They advocate for more efforts to diversify the health-care workforce and support Latinos in higher education and medicine.
While the research did show some gains in representation for Latinos in health-care professions over time, the authors concluded that, overall, Latino representation in health diagnosing and treating professions remains well below their representation in the U.S. population as of 2020.
In order to address this issue and promote inclusivity, it is crucial to implement strategies aimed at increasing diversity within the medical workforce and providing support for Latinos pursuing higher education and careers in medicine.