When my husband and I were looking for a primary care doctor, we wanted someone who could understand and relate to our lives and health needs as gay, Asian men. While we’ve been fortunate to find physicians with whom we could be our authentic selves, too many Californians can’t.
That’s because our state’s physicians don’t reflect our California’s diverse demographics, leaving people of color struggling to find doctors who can connect with them culturally, linguistically, and personally. For example, California’s population is 40% Latino, but Latinos make up 6% of the state’s physicians.
It’s urgent that we find ways to close this longstanding gap that is a driver of inadequate care and poor health for marginalized people. That’s why Cal Wellness initiated the Racial Equity in California Medical Schools Project, which is bringing together medical education system leaders to collaborate and develop ideas for collective action, coordination, and impact. To date, our foundation has invested $10 million to strengthen equitable pathways to and through schools of medicine for underrepresented communities of color.
We’re pleased to share this new report from the first phase of the project, coordinated by our partners at Research Action Design. This report summarizes the vision and ideas of 40+ deans, admissions directors, pathway program coordinators and others from public and private schools of medicine across the state, as well as key community-based organizations and funders.
In the report, participants named key barriers to equity, including structural racism, a lack of funding, stigmatization of students of color, and insufficient coordination of policy advocacy to drive lasting change. Medical school leaders also highlighted important progress in areas such as programs that expand pathways for diverse students to enter the medical field, embedding social justice and health equity into the medical curriculum, and expanding residency opportunities.
The next phase of the Racial Equity in California Medical Schools Project will unfold in 2025 as medical education “equity innovators” delve into topics highlighted in the report and develop strategies to build and coordinate change on a larger scale.
The stakes are high, and we’re energized about how this collaboration has the potential to spark the reshaping of medical education in California. We look forward to sharing progress as this vital work moves forward.
