Minorities are underrepresented in the health professions; efforts to correct this imbalance over the past 25 years have been unsuccessful. Addressing the disparity is a "test case" on social responsibility for academic health centers (AHCs) because it directly impacts their core educational mission. Unlike research and service programs, minority admissions cannot be adequately addressed by add-on programs. Anti-affirmative action initiatives undermine the ability of AHCs to meet their social responsibility. This presentation offers data on minority representation in health professions student bodies and discusses strategies that AHCs may employ to meet their social responsibilities in this area.
Learning Objectives: 1. To examine the concept of social responsibility and its relationship to Academic Health Centers/Systems. 2. To the tools to evaluate the social goods produced by Academic Health Centers/Systems. 3. To explore the impact of mergers and system building on the social responsibility of Academic Health Centers/Systems
Keywords: Health Care Workers, Minorities
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.