Racial Inequality in Medicine: How Did We Get Here?

Abstract

Georgetown Medical Review 2020 was undoubtedly a momentous year for medicine. From a global pandemic, to novel methods of treatment, to the development of a groundbreaking vaccine, science and healthcare have been front and center in public discourse. But with the rise of protests for racial justice in America another problem in the healthcare system was laid bare: the lack of racial diversity in American medical schools and the medical profession. According to JAMA, African Americans represent about 5% of all practicing physicians today, despite making up 13% of the population. 1 Why have African Americans been so underrepresented in medicine over the last century? A transformative period of American medical education in the early 1900s changed the demographic landscape of medicine for years to come. Despite recognition of this disparity and efforts to promote diversity over the last century, there is still much work to be done to achieve equality in the medical profession.

Reaching back to enhance the future: the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Pipeline Program

“…The dearth of URiM students in the field of medicine, and particularly in surgery, is a consequence of historical systemic and structural racism whose vestiges continue to persist today. [2][3][4] These discrepant social constructs have contributed to generating and maintaining excellence gaps even among subgroups of students performing at the highest levels of achievement. 17 It is of paramount importance to address and close these gaps, by breaking barriers and creating bridges of opportunity for URiM students.…”

“…As of 2019, African Americans represented about 5% of all practicing physicians, despite making up 13% of the population . 3 4 Particularly in general surgery, the numbers of racially and ethnically diverse surgeons remain low secondary to the disparity in proportions of under-represented in medicine (URiM) students applying to, matriculating, and subsequently graduating from US surgical residency programs. 5 …”