Abstract
[This is an excerpt.] This report explores the race, ethnicity, gender, language, and disability makeup of Oregon’s licensed health care professionals compared with that of the state. Across the country, health access and outcomes remain inequitable by race/ethnicity, gender, disability, language and other characteristics.1 For instance, life expectancy, infant mortality and preterm birth rates, as well as prevalence of obesity and hypertension all differ by race and ethnicity. Additionally, there are differences in access to care between racial and ethnic groups. People of color are less likely to have insurance coverage and receive needed dental care. Individuals with physical disabilities or cognitive limitations have higher prevalence of chronic conditions compared with individuals with no disabilities,2 and patients with limited English proficiency are more likely to experience adverse events in six US hospitals (including higher levels of physical harm) compared with patients who speak English.3 The COVID-19 pandemic had a disproportionate impact on communities of color,tribal communities, and other historically underrepresented communities, and many historical inequities widened during that time. Evidence suggests that greater diversity in the health care workforce advances cultural competency and increases access to high-quality health care.4,5 Accordingly, increasing the proportion of underrepresented US racial and ethnic groups among health care professionals in the workforce may improve quality of care. Given these health inequities, it is important to foster a workforce that is culturally and linguisticallyrepresentative of the communities it serves. This report aims to examine the current makeup of the workforce inOregon and the extent to which it is representative of Oregon’s population. [To read more, click View Resource.]
