[ad_1]
Latinas are severely underrepresented in the United States physician population, as well as in California.A report by the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute found that while Latinos make up 39% of California’s population, they only make up 6.4% of physicians. When it comes to female physicians, that number is even lower at 2.7%.The analysis also found that physicians who are Black, Native American, and Latino are more likely to work in areas federally designated as medically underserved or that are experiencing health professional shortages.”In California, as well as the rest of the country, the physician workforce doesn’t really match up with the population – or the patients that the physicians ultimately need to work with and serve,” said Dr. Mark Henderson, who is also the dean of admissions at the UC Health System.Yesenia Ramos, who is part of the fraction of practicing physicians, says the lack of Spanish-speaking Latinas poses additional implications for health care quality and access.”In specialty care, as the disease is more complicated and more advanced, is the need for someone to be there to explain that to the patient,” said Ramos.The first part of her medical studies started in Washington, where she was one of three Latinas in a program with 250 students.After coming back to her hometown, she says her goal is to serve Sacramento’s most underserved populations.”I know what it is to be underserved. I come from a low-income background, so I get it when they tell me some of the problems. I think it’s rewarding to be able to come back and now serve those patient populations,” Ramos told KCRA.While she’s grateful to be practicing, she said these numbers could change if more resources, such as tutoring and programs that help with entrance exams were made available to low-income students.There are now roughly 100 Latinas at UC Davis who are studying to become future physicians. The university works with local colleges to encourage people of different backgrounds to go into health careers.
Latinas are severely underrepresented in the United States physician population, as well as in California.
A report by the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute found that while Latinos make up 39% of California’s population, they only make up 6.4% of physicians. When it comes to female physicians, that number is even lower at 2.7%.
The analysis also found that physicians who are Black, Native American, and Latino are more likely to work in areas federally designated as medically underserved or that are experiencing health professional shortages.
“In California, as well as the rest of the country, the physician workforce doesn’t really match up with the population – or the patients that the physicians ultimately need to work with and serve,” said Dr. Mark Henderson, who is also the dean of admissions at the UC Health System.
Yesenia Ramos, who is part of the fraction of practicing physicians, says the lack of Spanish-speaking Latinas poses additional implications for health care quality and access.
“In specialty care, as the disease is more complicated and more advanced, is the need for someone to be there to explain that to the patient,” said Ramos.
The first part of her medical studies started in Washington, where she was one of three Latinas in a program with 250 students.
After coming back to her hometown, she says her goal is to serve Sacramento’s most underserved populations.
“I know what it is to be underserved. I come from a low-income background, so I get it when they tell me some of the problems. I think it’s rewarding to be able to come back and now serve those patient populations,” Ramos told KCRA.
While she’s grateful to be practicing, she said these numbers could change if more resources, such as tutoring and programs that help with entrance exams were made available to low-income students.
There are now roughly 100 Latinas at UC Davis who are studying to become future physicians.
The university works with local colleges to encourage people of different backgrounds to go into health careers.
[ad_2]
Source link
