Truth

SO....


There are many facts that people dont know. Facts about health and health care. As i progress in my career I keep stumbling on things that I feel more people should be aware of. The fact that minorites in america (by minorities i mean african americans, hispanic americans and native americans)  have many health disparities. Health outcomes among minorities are worse, Life expectancy is shorter and the incidence of chronic disease is worse. Minorities have higher incidence of infant mortality and have less access to health care.

There are MANY factors that contribute to these facts, and to even begin to scratch the surface would have me on here typing all night. Just know that it is an uphill battle....

A few other facts about healthcare that I find somewhat sad is the racial make up of the american medical system, doctors in particular.  Take a look at these numbers

3.5 % of American Doctors are Black
5% of American Doctors are Hispanic

15% of the US population is Hispanic
12.4 % of the US population is Black

So basically.. 1/3 of the US is either Black or Hispanic yet only 8% of physicians are.

20% of physicians are Asian, while only 4% of the american population is Asian.

There is much work to be done. These underrepresented minorities all have higher concentrations in large urban areas, areas where non minority physicians do not traditionally practice. This will create a potentially HUGE problem with this major expansion of health reform because now more people will potentially have access to care but no one will have time to see them. The more I think about my future and what I want to do, it makes me realize that there is much work to be done, beyond clinics and wards. We gotta get out into the community to encourage kids to do more and to pursue medical careers. All of this has given me food serious food for thought...