How to address the shortage of racially and ethnically diverse health professionals

Increasing workforce diversity is a critical step in achieving health equity. People of color make up more than 30 percent of Coloradans and 35 percent of the U.S. population, but the health care workforce does not reflect these demographics. Given that communities of color experience a disproportionate burden of morbidity and mortality, increasing workforce diversity is vital to eliminating health disparities. Studies show providers of color are more likely to practice in underserved areas with larger racial and ethnic minority populations and serve patients of color who are uninsured or underinsured. To help health care service organizations better understand and address the shortage of racially and ethnically diverse health professionals, this paper examines a number of issues. It looks at the makeup of the health care workforce in Colorado and nationally, opportunities under the 2010 federal health care reform law to address inequities and misconceptions that stand as barriers to equity in the health care workforce. The paper also highlights how some Colorado organizations are working toward a diverse health care workforce. Finally, it provides recommendations for health service organizations from recipients of grants under the Equality in Health initiative, a seven-year effort funded by The Colorado Trust to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities in Colorado. (author abstract)