[Women and health professions in Puerto Rico: 1990]

The main aim of the present study was to analyse the sex distribución for the health related professions in Puerto Rico. This was a descriptive investigation. The data was obtained from the Census of Population and Housing of Puerto Rico, 1990 and the fifth register of health professionals, 1989-92 from the Health Department of Puerto Rico. It was observed that women in the 90's are still participating, in the health professions, in occupations traditionally of their gender. Nevertheless, it has been observed an increased in the women's participation in those occupations usually performed by men such as: veterinary and podiatry. Women tend to be employed more frequently by the government. Men, on the other hand, are concentrated on those occupations with the highest prestige and status, in the health professions. In addition, a high proportion of men are employed on their own. In terms of income, women earn less income than men for almost all the health occupations taken into account.