Celebrating the Second Annual National Latino/a Physician’s Day!

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Latinos make up more than 19% of the total US population, but account for only 6% of US physicians.

In fact, less than one in four Latino adults report sharing a language or background with their physician.

This lack of Latinos in medicine negatively affects Latino patient health.

For example, studies show that a lack of variety in healthcare workers contributes to health differences, such as higher rates of maternal health issues in Latinas and worse health outcomes for Latino cancer patients.

Additionally, a lack of Latinos in healthcare adds additional challenges for Latino patients to obtain background-significant and linguistically concordant care.

In response to this critical shortage of Latino physicians, Drs. Michael Galvez and Cesar Padilla are leading a grassroots initiative to annually celebrate Oct. 1 as National Latino/a Physician’s Day.

2023 is the second year that the duo is leading this movement with endorsement of national non-profit organizations and medical societies, including Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio.

Padilla, an obstetric anesthesiologist at Stanford Hospital and Clinics, stressed the need for a population of physicians that looks like the patient population of a rapidly changing nation.

“In California, 48% of births are to Latina patients. As an OB anesthesiologist, being able to ease fears about anesthesia in Spanish-speaking patients is critical. 48% deserves more than 6%. The Latino physician shortage is a crisis,” wrote Padilla on Twitter.

“We appreciate all the societies, hospitals, institutions, etc. that are highlighting and supporting Latinos with their own time and resources. The sponsorship has been incredible. So awesome to see all the support for this movement that the Latino community needs. ¡Necesitamos más!” added Galvez of Valley Children’s Healthcare in Madera, Calif., on Twitter.

Support the movement to celebrate National Latino/a Physician’s Day on October 1, 2023!

Why is There a Lack of Latino Physicians?

Latinos are at a handicap when it comes to the education and training required to become a physician.

Latinos face more obstacles on the path to becoming a physician than their white peers.

These differences begin with generations of Latinos facing an array of issues, such as mistreatment, lack of financial resources, and ability to afford basic needs like food and housing.

These differences increases hurdles to quality education as early as kindergarten for Latinos.

At the college level, Latinos are far less likely than their white peers to complete their degree, and more likely to still be enrolled beyond six years on their path to a degree.

Lower college graduation rates among Latinos can partially be attributed to a lack of Latinos in higher education, similar to the a lack of Latino physicians.

What Can Be Done to Increase the Number of Latino Physicians?

Luckily, there are programs like the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities and Éxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training, led by Salud America! director Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez of UT Health San Antonio, that are helping more Latinos succeed in higher education and break down the hurdles to becoming a physician.

You can support Latino higher education, too.

Select your county and get a Health Report Card by Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio.

In your Report Card, you will see maps, data, and gauges to compare health issues, including education levels, to the rest of your state and nation.

You can email your Health Report Card to local leaders to stimulate community change. Use the data in your materials or share on social media to raise awareness.

Get your Health Report Card!