One of the fastest growing areas within the health equity space is focused on increasing the pipeline of health and medical professionals from historically underrepresented communities. To that end, health equity proponents are applauding a Congressional resolution just introduced in the U.S. Congress promulgating the importance of the nation’s healthcare labor force to be broadly representative of individuals across all populations. Specifically, it supports programs in medical schools that are focus on equity and diversity to foster the educational and professional advancement of medical and healthcare students poised to purse more equitable healthcare careers.
The resolution was introduced by Congresswoman Kathy Castor of Florida and Congresswoman Joyce Beatty of Ohio. The measure came on the heels of greater research establishing that diversity in medical schools, which translates into greater diversity in the healthcare field, results in heightened access to medical care for those in historically marginalized communities. The research further illustrates that enhanced diversity in the medical profession also improves the quality of care among those residing in underserved communities.
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has been among the strongest advocates for buoying diversity in medical schools as a means to increase diversity in the medical field. According to David J. Skorton, President and CEO of AAMC, “Medical schools are in the best position to identify how to prepare their students to meet the needs of the physician workforce and must have the autonomy and flexibility to do so. When a medical school recognizes the benefits associated with cultivating student belonging—fostering educational benefits associated with all types of diversity, ensuring equal educational opportunities for their students, and providing instruction on evidence-based knowledge they deem to be fundamental—it is within their purview and their responsibility to pursue those efforts.”
Additional information about the Congressional resolution can be found here.
