Diversity of the allied health workforce: the unmet challenge

Although black and Hispanic people together constitute 25% of the American population, they represent only 18% of students enrolled in 4-year colleges and universities. The educational divide further widens within the health professions programs, where < 10% of enrolled students in the allied health professions are black or Hispanic. Health agencies have begun referring to the underrepresentation of minorities in the health professions as a public health crisis. Despite the increased focus that the national government is placing on underrepresented minorities, there has been little to no increase in the number of minorities enrolled in health professions programs. This report examines the roles of educational institutions, accrediting organizations, and the government in addressing diversification of the health workforce. The authors challenge stereotypes that reinforce the belief that the predominant reason for low enrollment by underrepresented minorities is inadequate numbers of qualified minorities.