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Diverse group of doctors stacking hands in an operating room table.

Creating and Sustaining a Diverse and Culturally Responsive Workforce

According to census data, the U.S. population is projected to become a majority-minority in 2045, thereby increasing the need to prepare and train health care professionals who are culturally responsive and equipped to provide quality care in a multicultural society. Yet only about 9% of current physicians identify as black or African American, Native American or Alaska Native, and Hispanic or Latino. In 2010, only 1.1% of National Institutes of Health principal investigators on research project grants were black. 

The AAMC and its member institutions are dedicated to promoting an inclusive and culturally competent health and biomedical workforce that supports improvements in health care, access to providers and health facilities, innovative breakthroughs in medical research, and equitable health for all patients regardless of their backgrounds. This is accomplished by using a holistic review process for medical school applications, engaging underrepresented communities through pipeline programs, and providing support for individuals such as those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status, sometimes referred to as "DREAMers."

Female doctor walks down a hospital hallway.

Why women leave medicine

Research shows that almost 40% of women physicians go part-time or leave medicine altogether within six years of completing their residencies. Here’s why.
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Workforce development programs help serve the underserved

The Title VII Health Professions and Title VIII Nursing Workforce development programs play a critical role in training a workforce.
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Medical schools are becoming more diverse

Women comprised more than half of applicants and enrollees in 2018, new AAMC data reveal.
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21st Century Health Care Workforce Development

As the academic medicine community works to combat the physician shortage, all stakeholders need to ensure that our physician workforce is diverse.
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Confronting the crisis: Attracting Native students to medicine

After years of failing to produce a robust American Indian and Alaska Native workforce, medical schools need to up their game, says co-author of a new report.
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Pipeline Programs and System Reform: A Path to Improving Health Equity

Pipeline programs help promote a diverse, culturally competent health care and biomedical research workforce to enhance patient care and ensure health equity.
Elementary Students were doctors coats pose for the camera.

Pre-Premed: Pipeline Efforts Steer Elementary School Students Into Medicine

Children as young as six are being encouraged to consider medical school. Find out how this could help medically underserved communities in the future.

Summer Health Professions Education Program

The Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) is a free summer enrichment program focused on improving access to information and resources for college students interested in the health professions. 

News & Insights on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

DACA protestors on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

DACA students risk everything to become doctors

Nearly 200 undocumented students and residents are currently training in U.S. medical schools and teaching hospitals.
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A Threat to Immigration, A Threat to Care

The immigrant son of an immigrant physician—now also a physician himself—reveals how stricter immigration controls and rescinding DACA will harm all patients.

AAMC Diversity Initiatives

Health Professions and Nursing Education Coalition

HPNEC, convened by the AAMC, is a coalition of 70 organizations advocated for the Title VII health professions and Title VIII nursing workforce development and diversity programs.

Advancing Holistic Review

Holistic review refers to mission-aligned admissions or selection processes that consider a broad range of factors — experiences, attributes, and academic metrics — when reviewing applications.

Urban Universities for HEALTH

The long-term vision of Urban Universities for HEALTH is to enhance and expand a culturally sensitive, diverse, and prepared health workforce that improves health and reduces health disparities in urban communities.

Understand the Issues & the Policies

Learn more about the Title VII and VII Health Professions Training Programs and the AAMC's position on them.

Data & Reports

More Data & Reports
Resources on topics related to creating and sustaining a diverse and culturally responsive workforce

Advocacy-Related News & Insights

Washington Highlights
AAMC Files Amicus Brief in DHS v. Regents of the University of California
October 4, 2019
Washington Highlights
AAMC Joins Higher Ed Community Letter Endorsing DACA Legislation
March 22, 2019
Washington Highlights
White House Releases Proposal for Higher Education Act Reauthorization
March 22, 2019
Washington Highlights
House and Senate Education Committees Hold Hearings on the Higher Education Act
March 15, 2019