Jan 15, 2025 Story by: Editor
The data marks the first medical school class since the Supreme Court’s June 2023 decision to strike down affirmative action, potentially leading to even fewer Black physicians, who currently make up around 5.7% of the medical workforce.
A new report released Thursday by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) reveals a significant drop in enrollment for Black and Hispanic students in medical schools. According to the report, Black enrollments fell by 11.6%, while Hispanic enrollments decreased by 10.8%. More concerning, the number of American Indian or Alaska Native enrollees dropped by 22.1%, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander numbers fell by 4.3%.
In contrast, white student enrollment remained steady, and Asian enrollees rose by 8.4%. The number of students identifying as “other” also increased.
This data, representing the first cohort since the Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action, sheds light on the broader challenges facing underrepresented groups in the medical field. The report comes amid growing concerns across colleges and universities regarding the impact of the court’s decision on admissions processes.
In addition to the affirmative action ruling, economic factors have also played a role in influencing individuals’ decisions to delay or forgo further education. Last year, the overall number of medical school applicants dropped by 1.2%, the lowest since the 2017-18 cycle.
Despite these setbacks, the report highlights a positive development. While the number of Black matriculants declined, the number of Black applicants to medical school increased by 2.8%.
“We are encouraged by the increase in first-time applicants to medical school,” said David Skorton, AAMC president and CEO, in a statement.
He emphasized that both the AAMC and its member institutions are committed to efforts aimed at increasing the diversity of physicians in the field, recognizing that a diverse medical workforce can improve both healthcare access and community health.
Norma Poll-Hunter, AAMC’s director of equity, diversity, and inclusion, expressed concerns about the potential long-term effects on the medical community. In an interview with Stat, she noted that doctors from underrepresented communities are often more inclined to work with underserved populations, including those on Medicare and Medicaid and in rural white areas. Source: Yahoo News
