Latinos represented approximately 18% of the working-age population in 2020, yet their representation in the healthcare workforce was much lower, according to a new analysis published Wednesday in the July issue of Health Affairs.
The researchers noted that among recent health professions graduates, overall Latino representation has been increasing over time.
The analysis used data from the Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey five-year file, which includes data collected from 2016 to 2020. The authors compared the representation of non-Latinos and four Latino subpopulation groups: Mexican Americans; Puerto Ricans; Cuban Americans; and “other” Latinos, a group that includes Latin Americans, Dominicans and Spaniards. The ACS includes residents of the 50 states and Washington, DC.
According to the data, in the registered nurse profession, Mexican Americans made up 3.85% of the workforce; Puerto Ricans, 0.99%; Cuban Americans, 0.61%; and other Latinos, 2.08%.
For licensed practical nurses, Mexican Americans made up 7.94% of the workforce; Puerto Ricans, 1.45%; Cuban Americans, 0.51%; and other Latinos, 2.76%.
For nursing assistants, Mexican Americans made up 7.08% of the workforce; Puerto Ricans, 1.86%; Cuban Americans, 0.11%; and other Latinos, 3.92%.
For personal care aides, Mexican Americans made up 8.91% of the workforce; Puerto Ricans, 2.74%; Cuban Americans, 0.94%; and other Latinos, 9.97%.
For home health aides, Mexican Americans made up 13.61% of the workforce; Puerto Ricans, 1.68%; Cuban Americans, 0.53%; and other Latinos, 5.03%.
“Analyzing the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System data for 2010–12 and 2019–21 graduates, we found that among health professions, the greater the required years of education for entry, the lower the diversity index among Latinos,” the authors wrote.
The researchers noted some concern that the Supreme Court’s rulings on affirmative action last week could adversely affect the diversity index among Latinos even further. In a 6-3 ruling in one case, with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson recusing herself, the High Court ruled that colleges and universities no longer can use race as a factor in their admissions decisions.
