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The United States has recognized the fact that there is an impending physician shortage. Notwithstanding, there has been a shortage of physicians in underserved areas for quite some time. Minorities do not enter into medicine at a rate comparable to their white counterparts, and although the rates of minorities in medicine have increased over the years, the percentage does not satisfy the already established federally designated shortage areas and the increasing minority population.
In 2004, Blacks constituted 7.8% and Hispanics constituted 7.1% of all medical school applicants. Of all minority applicants in 2004, Asians were the largest group (nearly 19%). Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders comprised 15.3% of the applicant pool (AAMC).
The following chart illustrates the percentage of medical school applicants by race and ethnicity as of 2004.
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In 2004, Blacks, Hispanics/Latinos, and Native Americans comprised 6.4% of all physicians who graduated from U.S. allopathic medical schools. In comparison, the 2000 U.S. Census data showed Blacks, Hispanics/Latinos, and Native American comprised nearly 26% of the U.S. population (AAMC)
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