Life
Fewer African-American men enrolling for medical school
A recent report released by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) suggests that there has been a drop in the number of African-American men applying to, accepted to, and attending medical schools in the United States. And this, despite an increase in the number of applicants among other minorities (Hispanics and Asians).
“Black or African-American males are applying to, being accepted to, and matriculating into medical school in diminishing numbers, which speaks to the increasing need for medical schools to institute plans and initiatives aimed at strengthening the pipeline,” stated the report, called “Diversity in Medical Education.”
In the 1970’s, there were more African-American applicants than Asians and Hispanics combined – African-American applicants were the second most populous demographic behind white Americans, however, the number of first-time applications from African-Americans grew a mere 36 percent (2,361 in 1977 to 3,215 in 2011) – African-American women outnumbered black men applicants in 2011 nearly two to one, the report further revealed.
The negative trend for African-American men could make it harder to meet the growing demand of the primary care physician shortage.
