Decline in Black, Hispanic Medical Students Threatens Maternal Health, Says Health Policy Expert Kavelle Christie

Decline in Black and Hispanic Medical Students Threatens Reproductive and Maternal Health Equity, Says Health Policy Expert Kavelle ChristieWashington, D.C. – Recent data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) reveals a sharp decline in Black and Hispanic medical school applicants in 2024, raising alarms about the future of healthcare equity. Health policy expert Kavelle Christie warns that this trend not only endangers diversity in medicine but also exacerbates reproductive and maternal health disparities in Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous communities. “For Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous women and birthing people, access to culturally competent providers is a cornerstone of equitable care,” said Christie. “Patients experience better outcomes when treated by healthcare professionals who understand their lived realities. This decline directly threatens maternal and perinatal health outcomes, particularly in communities already facing systemic barriers.” Christie emphasized that these inequities are not accidental but deliberate. “These inequities are rooted in power dynamics, with policies designed to limit access to healthcare, education, and bodily autonomy,” she said. Efforts to dismantle affirmative action and slash funding for medical education further restrict who enters the healthcare profession, disproportionately impacting marginalized communities. “When we limit who becomes a doctor, we reduce access to culturally competent care,”...