Role of public health education in diversifying the health professions—20-year results from a high school biomedical pipeline program

An essential component of public health education is the support of initiatives that reach low-income and ethnic minority students early in the educational pipeline to enhance their academic success and thereby promote a more diverse health professional workforce. This presentation describes results from a 20-year biomedical program that reaches out to low-income and ethnic minority high school students who have faced personal hardships and are often overlooked by outreach programs. The success of the program has contributed to university efforts to integrate diversity and educational efforts into its core mission and institutional functioning. Since 1988, 452 students have participated the Stanford Medical Youth Science Program; 97% have been followed for up to 20 years. The 5-week curriculum focuses on research experiences on current public health issues, experiential learning, pubic health and hospital internships, college admissions preparation, and long-term college and career guidance. Results show that 75% of African-American, 80% of Latino, and 70% of Native American participants have earned a 4-year college degree (among those admitted to college, and excluding those currently attending college). In contrast, 4-year college graduation rates for 25- to 34-year-old California adults are 16% for African-Americans, 8% for Latinos, and 10% for Native Americans. Among the program's college graduates, 48% are attending or have graduated from medical/graduate school, and 46% are working as or training to become health professionals. This program offers a replicable model—one that addresses majority/minority disparities in higher education and the critical need for a diverse health professional workforce.