Diversity In Health Care Professions

Diversity in Health Professions: The Future of America

The Unites States has created a healthcare system that has become extremely uniform and homogenous. The lack of diversity in health care professions has caused an unequal quality of care among many who present something different to the table. As an African-American male in the health arena, I plan to not only improve the quality of care for all, but I will inspire the younger generation, particularly those of minority races and ethnicities, to obtain careers in health care. As a minority figure in health care, I plan to ensure that all people are cared for equally. Many minority communities have significantly suffered in response to the lack of diversity in healthcare professions. The
increase of health care disparities in minority communities has been disturbing. Many groups of people are facing insufficient health care merely because of who they are. Statistics show that minorities often receive lower quality of care than whites do. According to Samantha Artiga’s article “Disparities in Health and Health Care: Five Key Questions and Answers”, in relation to whites and those with higher incomes, Hispanics, Blacks, American Indians/Alaska Natives, and low-income individuals are more likely to be uninsured. I desire to not only care for all patients with the highest quality of care, but I desire to go out in the community to raise awareness. I have always been one to take interest in community service and to help bring clarity to the uninformed. I believe that you can help people all that you want, but until you teach them how to help themselves, they will always have to depend on others. It is vital for those who are uninformed about health and health care to become informed. Even before becoming a Physician Assistant, I plan to reach out to uneducated communities in my region to launch different informational sessions and workshops to teach others about health, health care, health insurance, proper nutrition, and much more. If a number of diverse groups of people did this in their local areas, there would be a drastic shift in healthcare. “The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.” This quote by Nelson Mandela is key in understanding the significance of our generation.
This millennial generation is key in determining health care years from now. There must be a rallying up of diverse young students who are interested in pursuing a career in health. Oftentimes, it is intimidating and sometimes discouraging for minorities to really commit to going after a health care career due to the stigma that has been created due to the types of people who have taken and are taking the healthcare field by storm. Encouragement, information, training, and exposure can all be beneficial to a young minority student who is wanting to go into health. Things should take place and be done way before medical or graduate school. The Summer Health Professions Education Program is a great example of a program that is taking the initiative to do something to help students way before medical school. This program is designed to recruit and prepare young, diverse, underrepresented students who will lead in health care. The impact that programs like this have made and will continue to make is astounding. The lack of diversity in health professions will not last forever. As a matter of fact, the lack of diversity in health professions will soon began to take a shift. As an underrepresented minority student, I will obtain a career in the health professions and I will work to not only improve the quality of care for every patient, but I will do everything in my power to ensure that diversity increases for those working in health care. America will soon see diverse, culturally competent health providers serving all
people.