Lack of Latino representation in healthcare contributes to disparities, says physician

Lack of Latino representation in healthcare contributes to disparities, says physician

Latinos make up just 6% of the physician workforce in California despite making up 40% of the population.

IN THE NEWS: Although 40% of Californians identify as Latino, they make up just 6% of physicians.

That disparity contributes to inequities in the healthcare system, says Dr. Charles Vega, the director of the Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community (PRIME-LC), a five-year MD/master's program that trains physicians to meet the unique needs of the community.

Vega spoke to Calo News about the importance of representation in medicine.

"These inequities are not new but promote higher rates of death and disease, usually among the most disadvantaged among us. PRIME-LC resonates with me as a means to reduce health disparities. Every patient has their own personal culture and needs to be met where they live."

For more than 25 years, Vega has seen patients at the UCI Health Family Health Center ― Santa Ana, the largest and oldest federally qualified health center in Orange County. He is a professor of family medicine at UC Irvine School of Medicine.

Vega's academic interests include access to quality care, compassionate medical care for underserved populations and developing training programs that promote this vision.

Read more

• Calo News: Counselors said not to bother with medical school. But UC Irvine opened the doors ›
• Kidney disease disproportionately affects communities of color ›
• Latino representation in medicine makes a difference, says UCI Health expert ›
• UCI launches innovative initiative to address diabetes in the Latino community ›

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