Effectiveness of University of California Postbaccalaureate Premedical Programs in Increasing Medical School Matriculation for Minority and Disadvantaged Students

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Abstract
A racially and ethnically diverse physician workforce is important for increasing access to care for underserved populations, improving the cultural competence of the workforce, and enhancing the educational experience of all medical students.1-5 However, many ethnic groups remain underrepresented among physicians in the United States. In 2000, blacks, Latinos, and Native Americans comprised more than 25% of the US population but only 7% of the nation's physicians.1 Moreover, students from these underrepresented ethnic groups constitute a decreasing proportion of US medical students. In 1994, underrepresented minorities comprised 15.5% of students matriculating into Liaison Committee on Medical Education–accredited medical schools, but by 2000 this proportion had decreased to 13.8%.2 Students from lower-income families are also much less likely than those from higher-income families to matriculate into medical school. Sixty percent of US medical students come from families in the top quintile of household income.6

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