On November 6,  UCLA LPPI Faculty Expert, Glenda Flores, a professor of Chicano/Latino studies in the School of Social Sciences at UC Irvine, presented research from her new book, The Weight of the White Coat: Latinos Navigating American Medicine. … Despite making up nearly 40% of California’s population, Latinos only account for 6% of physicians across the state.  Professor Flores’ research, based on 70 interviews with Latina and Latino physicians practicing across California, reveals critical gaps in California’s physician pipeline and uncovers the narratives behind Latinos’ underrepresentation in the healthcare system. Her analysis finds that for every 100 Latina students pursuing a degree in biological sciences, only one will eventually earn a medical degree. Many aspiring Latino physicians are the first in their families to go to college, often facing financial and structural barriers, limited mentorship, and inadequate financial aid amid the rising cost of medical education, which now averages over $100,000. 

For the full story, please visit https://latino.ucla.edu/the-weight-of-the-white-coat-addressing-californias-latino-physician-shortage/.