Nursing
Fast Facts
- Although, the RN population is growing in diversity, minority nurses remain underrepresented. Findings from the 2008 U.S. National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses show that nurses from minority backgrounds represent only 16.8% of the RN workforce. Moreover, in 2008, the RN population comprised 5.4% African American, 3.6% Hispanic, 5.8% Asian/Native Hawaiian, 0.3% American Indian/Alaska Native, and 1.7% multiracial nurses (Phillips and Malone, 2014).
- Reducing health disparities has become a national priority. Promoting a diverse, culturally competent workforce is a well-documented strategy in reducing health disparities to improve health care for all.
References
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Healthy People 2020
National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
2015
CDC Health Disparities and Inequalities Report
2013
Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care
IOM, 2002
US Department of Health & Human Services
Office of Minority Health
Centers for Disease Control
Pregnancy Related Deaths
Public Service
Fast Facts
- In the field of public health, while 36% of the US population are racial or ethnic minority groups, only 7.36% of the public health workforce are doctoral level graduates from racial or ethnic minority groups and are more likely to serve in areas of need (Mitchell and Lassiter, 2006).
- While African Americans account for 12% of the US population, they account for less than 5% of the public health workforce; Hispanics account for 16% of the US population, and account for less than 2% of the public health workforce.
- In the years 2014 and 2015, white students earned the majority of Public Administration degrees at 50%; followed by African Americans at 19.5%; Hispanics at 13.3%; Asians at 5% and Native Americans at .7% (U.S. Department of Education).
References
United States Census Bureau
U.S. Population by Race & Hispanic Origin, 2012
National Center for Education Statistics
Surveys and Programs
Centers for Disease Control
National Public Health Performance Standards
Stem
Fast Facts
- While the demand for individuals with an educational background in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) has grown rapidly and is projected to continue to grow, women of color remain drastically underrepresented in these fields.
- While women make up half of the total U.S. college-educated workforce, they comprise only 29% of the science and engineering workforce and receive far fewer degrees in the computer sciences (17.9%), engineering (19.3%), physical sciences (39%) and mathematics (43.1%).
- Socioeconomic determinants continue to account for disproportionately lower numbers of racial and ethnic minorities, such as African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders in the STEM training pipeline and scientific workforce.
- A diverse workforce in STEM ensures a higher rate of productivity, diversity of thought, and more creative problem solving which can directly address challenges related to healthcare improvement, national production capacity, and research excellence.
References
2017 Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering (WMPD) Report
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
STEM Education, Science Literacy and the Innovation Workforce in America
2012 Analysis and Insights from the Bayer Facts of Science Education Surveys
Professional Organizations
- American Public Health Association
- National Council of Ethnic and Minority Nurses Association
- National Association of Hispanic and Minority Nurses
- American Nurses Association
- National Black Nurses Association
- Chi Eta Phi, Inc.
- National Society of Black Engineers
- National Medical Association
- Association of Black Women Physicians
- Association of Women in Science
- National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association