National Commission Examines Lack Of Minorities In The Health Professions.

Local and national health, education, religion and business leaders and advocates will testify at today’s hearing on diversity in the health professions workforce, convened by a blue-ribbon Commission led by the Hon. Louis W. Sullivan, M.D., former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Held at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, this is the last of six national forums of this Commission.

“Action at the community level is critical to creating the leadership base necessary to transform the subtle barriers faced by minorities in the health professions into a welcoming environment that is well-positioned to meet the health challenges a more diverse nation will bring,” said Dr. Sullivan. “Texas is a bellwether state. The commitment of elected officials, health leaders, university presidents or deans can not only institute new policies and procedures, but can also provide a sea change in culture that will ensure that our health professions workforce mirror the diversity of Texas, and the rest of the nation.”

Since June, the Sullivan Commission on Diversity in the Healthcare Workforce has been holding hearings across the country to gather critical recommendations on strategies to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in medicine, nursing, and dentistry. While African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and American Indians represent more than 25 percent of the U.S. population, they comprise less than 9 percent of nurses, 6 percent of physicians, and only 5 percent of dentists.

“Increasing the diversity of our healthcare workforce is essential to ensuring that all Americans receive quality healthcare and eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities,” said Representative Chris Bell (D-TX), speaking at today’s hearing. “The work of this Commission is not only timely but imperative as our nation must institute policies that will meet the needs of our increasingly diverse population.”

Launched in April 2003, the 15-member Commission has conducted field hearings in Atlanta, Denver, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. A final report will be released in Washington in the Spring of 2004. Members of the Commission include key health, corporate, higher education, and legal experts. Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Robert Dole and Former United States Congressman and Health Subcommittee Chairman Paul Rogers serve as the Commission’s Honorary Co-Chairs.

This effort is administered by Duke University School of Medicine and funded by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation.