The status of medical education for black Americans.

Health-care priorities are changing throughout the United States, and the quality of American medicine is dependent on the quality of medical education. While a surplus of doctors is anticipated, a shortage of minority doctors remains. Published data sources provide information on enrollment, distribution, and specialties of black Americans in medical education programs. These data provide understanding of the process that has created the shortage of blacks in medicine. The tabular data suggest that the proportion of blacks in medical education programs has remained very low over time, and in some cases, it has actually declined. Funding needs, recruitment efforts, and educational information are essential considerations in changing the racial make-up of medical education and health care.