U.S. Medical Schools Enroll More Diverse Classes
More women than men enrolled for fifth year in a row
By Bruce Japsen
The population of U.S. Medical Schools is beginning to reflect the diversity of America and its patients.
For the 2023-24 school year, U.S. medical schools enrolled a more diverse first-year class with more women than men and saw increases in two historically underrepresented groups: Latinos and American Indians, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.
Though the number of actual applicants to medical schools has been down slightly the last two years, the number of matriculants (first-year enrollees) was up 1.2% to 22,981 in 2023-24 from 22,710 in 2022-23. Meanwhile, total medical school enrollment grew 1.6% to 97,903 in 2023-2024 from 96,405 in 2022-23.
Within this record enrollment are increasingly diverse classes which healthcare experts and policymakers say is important as health insurers and medical care providers work to address social determinants of health.
Studies show people who live in communities that lack medical care providers tend to enter the healthcare system sicker and don’t get preventive care, which leads to poor health outcomes and higher costs for everybody. Patients also prefer to see physicians who are like them or from their communities and familiar with their needs.
“Evidence shows that a more diverse workforce can improve health outcomes in our communi- ties,” said AAMC President and CEO David J. Skorton, MD.
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