Diversity in Healthcare: Why Representation Matters

A recent McKinsey & Company report found that fewer than 25% of physicians and 30% of nurses identify as racial or ethnic minorities – numbers far below the diversity of the U.S. population. For patients, this gap can translate to less trust, reduced access, and poorer care.

Diversity in healthcare is more than just a social goal. It’s a clinical necessity. Representation builds empathy, strengthens communication, and reduces disparities that harm underserved communities.

Why Representation in Healthcare Matters

Research consistently shows that patients often feel more comfortable — and communicate more openly — with providers who share or understand their cultural background. That trust can directly impact diagnosis, treatment adherence, and overall health outcomes.

When healthcare teams reflect the populations they serve, patient care becomes more equitable and more effective.

Understanding CLAS Standards

To promote equity in healthcare, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services developed the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS).

These standards guide organizations in delivering care that respects patients’ cultural beliefs, preferred languages, and communication styles.

By adopting CLAS standards, healthcare institutions not only comply with federal recommendations — they create safer, more inclusive environments where every patient feels seen and heard.

Diversity and Equal Opportunity in Healthcare

Building a representative workforce begins long before medical school or hospital employment. Equal access to education and opportunity is essential to achieving true inclusion in healthcare careers.

When institutions intentionally invest in equal access, they strengthen the entire healthcare system, from classrooms to clinics.

The Role of Inclusive Education

Healthcare education plays a pivotal role in shaping future practitioners’ cultural awareness and empathy.

Nursing schools, medical programs, and allied health institutions that prioritize inclusion prepare graduates to serve a broader, more complex patient population.

Students who train in inclusive environments are more confident, adaptable, and prepared to provide equitable care across all communities.

The Impact on Patient Outcomes

Representation is about measurable health outcomes, not just fairness. Studies show that:

When diversity informs care, the system performs better for everyone, including historically privileged groups, who also benefit from richer perspectives and collaborative innovation.

Moving Toward an Equitable Future

To make healthcare truly inclusive, diversity initiatives must move beyond symbolic gestures and into actionable policy.

That means not only recruiting diverse professionals but retaining and empowering them throughout their careers.

Equity must be a continuous process of reflection, accountability, and commitment to improvement.

Resources for Promoting Diversity in Healthcare

Below are organizations and resources working to expand diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the healthcare field.

• 11 Tips to Integrate Health Equity Content into Medical Education: Advice on how diversity and health equity can be incorporated into content and clinical settings.
• American Muslim Health Professionals: Professional organization that advocates for Muslim individuals working in healthcare, provides professional development, offers mental health resources, and maintains a regularly updated job board.
• Applying Inclusive Teaching Principles to Clinical Education: Journal article from Columbia University’s Center for Teaching and Learning outlining five principles that can be employed to support inclusive teaching in the clinical setting.
• The Case for Diversity in the Health Professions Remains Powerful: Article presented by The Commonwealth Fund that takes a look at the current state of diversity in healthcare, why diversity matters, and what can be done by leaders to promote it.
• Dismantling Health Inequity by Increasing Diversity in Healthcare Begins with You: Presented by the Urban College of Boston’s official blog, this article makes the argument that continued progress in eliminating inequity in healthcare requires a more diverse workforce, which in turn requires more students committing to an education and career in healthcare.
• Diversity in Med School: What Minority Applicants Need to Know: The Student Doctor Network Review takes a look at this important topic and offers actionable advice for minority learners.
• Diversity in the Workforce: Article from the American Academy of Family Physicians offering a seven-point list of recommended actions that can be taken by employers to help build a more diverse workforce in America.
• How Nurse Leaders Can Promote Diversity in Nursing: American Nurses Association article on the importance of diversity in nursing and the strategies that can be used to promote and sustain it in the workplace.
• How To Get Up To 3,000 More Black People in Physician Pipeline: Informative piece from the AMA addressing the continuing disruption in the pipeline of black physicians and offering a number of ideas for fixing it.
• The Importance of Equal Opportunity in Medical Education and Health Care: AAMC article on the importance of equal opportunity in medical education and health care practices and outcomes. Included are several short videos of medical students and physicians discussing their experiences with diversity in their careers.
• Med School Applicants and Diversity Beyond Race: This US News & World Report article discusses how a medical school applicant can address diversity topics in their application essay or other content, even if not a minority group member.
• NAAHP Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Resources: Excellent clearinghouse site offering links to a wide range of professional associations and others supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations (NCEMNA): This professional group brings together Asian American, Pacific Islander, American Indian, Hispanic, Black, and Philippine Nurses working in America and advocates on their behalf.
• National Hispanic Medical Association: The NHMA provides resources, annual conferences, access to events, scholarships, advocacy, and job boards for Hispanic medical professionals.
• Resume Tips for Minority Nurses: After completing a degree in nursing, minority graduates can use this guide to create a winning resume that grabs the attention of recruiters.
• Tools and Resources for First-Generation Medical School Students (AAMC): Online toolkit of resources designed to aid first-generation medical students throughout their academic careers and beyond. Provided by the Association of American Medical Colleges.
• Tours for Diversity in Medicine. This nonprofit tours various schools and cities across the country to encourage and champion minority students who want to work in medical roles.
• Why Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Matter in Medical Education: This article presented by ACEP Now, the official publication of the American College of Emergency Physicians, discusses the topic of DEI in medical education and its impact on the resulting quality of medical care.
• World Professional Association for Transgender Health: Nonprofit, interdisciplinary professional organization dedicated to transgender health.
• You Belong Here: A Diverse Student Recruitment Guide: Offered by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, this guide offers tons of great information and advice on addressing healthcare disparities through recruiting and retaining a diverse student population.