It's no secret that there's a lack of diversity in the medical world. But where does that problem stem from, and how deep does it run? A recent Vice article gave some insight.
Here are seven things to know about the U.S.'s minority physician problem, according to Vice.
1. Between 2013 and 2016, approximately 60.1 percent of new medical school students were white, while 7.5 percent were African American, according to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges. Only 22 percent were Asian, and 9.8 percent were Hispanic.
2. As early as third grade, minority students begin to lag behind on standardized test scores, according to Marc Nivet, EdD, chief diversity officer of the AAMC. Economically disadvantaged school systems prevent these students from academic success. "We don't have enough minority students taking the right classes early on to make successful applicants to any health professional school," Dr. Nivet said, according to the report.
3. Once in college, many minority students don't receive the advice and counseling they need to pursue medical school. Oftentimes, minority students pursue their undergraduate education at historically minority-heavy schools. Unfortunately, not all of these colleges have proper advisors for pre-med students. In addition, medical school recruiters don't always visit historically black universities, according to Dr. Nivet.
"Medical school is an incredible burden," said Damon Tweedy, MD, author of the memoir Black Man in a White Coat, according to the report. "That's where someone like a recruiter could talk about various options for financial aid, invite students to at least apply and waive the application fees. All these things make it more accessible."
4. African American students often receive lower scores on the MCAT, according to the AAMC. From 2013 through 2016, 2,460 students — 43 percent of whom were African American — earned the lowest MCAT scores. Around 221 students earned top scores, but only 11 percent were African American.
The AAMC's finding is likely due to disadvantaged school systems and lack of counseling during undergraduate years. Still, Dr. Nivet emphasized that MCAT scores aren't the be-all end-all. "A whole bunch of white kids have lower MCAT scores," he said.
5. Fewer African American males applied to medical school in 2014 than in 1978, according to the AAMC. In 1978, 1,410 black males applied to medical schools. In 2014, the number shrank to 1,337. The statistic is cited in the organization's report, "Altering the Course: Black Males in Medicine."
6. Racial discrepancies don't stop after the application process. Between 2013 and 2016, 45.2 percent of white applicants were accepted to medical school, according to the AAMC. Approximately 44.3 percent of Hispanic applicants and 42.1 percent of Asian applicants were also accepted, but only 36.2 percent of African American applicants were accepted.
7. Lack of racial diversity in medicine causes problems between physicians and patients. A 2015 study published in MedPage Today found African American patients with lupus "were more likely to perceive racial bias and suffer as a result of it," according to the report. In addition, a 2012 study published in the American Journal of Public Health found racial biases and stereotyping resulted in off-putting experiences for African Americans.