Hope E Campbell1, Angela M Hagan2, Ana L Hincapie3, Caroline Gaither4, Maisha Kelly Freeman5, Nicole D Avant6. 1. Belmont University, College of Pharmacy, 1900 Belmont Blvd, MCWH #330, Nashville, TN 37212-3757, United States. Electronic address: hope.campbell@belmont.edu. 2. Belmont University, College of Pharmacy, 1900 Belmont Blvd, Nashville, TN 37212-3757, United States. Electronic address: angela.hagan@belmont.edu. 3. University of Cincinnati, College of Pharmacy, 361 Kowalewski Hall, 3255 Eden Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States. Electronic address: hincapaa@ucmail.uc.edu. 4. University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy, 7-159 Weaver-Densford Hall, 308 Harvard St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States. Electronic address: cgaither@umn.edu. 5. Center for Healthcare Innovation and Patient Outcomes Research (CHIPOR), Samford University College of Pharmacy, 800 Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham, AL 35229, United States. Electronic address: mkelly@samford.edu. 6. Division of Experience-Based Learning and Career Education, University of Cincinnati, 735K Joseph A. Steger Student Life Center, Cincinnati, OH 45221, United States. Electronic address: avantne@ucmail.uc.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the disproportionality of racial and ethnic people of color (i.e., minorities) among the student body in schools and colleges of pharmacy (COPs) compared to county-specific United States Census Bureau data. METHODS: Data were obtained from national databases and published reports from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. In addition, demographic information for enrollees of minority-serving institutions and predominantly white institutions was obtained and racial disproportionality was assessed to determine the degree of concordance between enrollees and the demographics of people within the county that the school was located. Data were evaluated using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Compared to the general population in counties where COPs are located, Asians are over-represented while all other students of color are underrepresented. The top schools that have a negative disproportionality rate for Black students included Thomas Jefferson University (-40.49), Wayne State University (-40.13), Philadelphia College of Pharmacy (-39.90), and the University of Tennessee (-39.74).The top five schools that have a negative disproportionality rate of Hispanic students included Loma Linda University (-45.67), California Health Sciences (-45.64), the University of Southern California (-43.79), the University of the Pacific California (-37.95), and Texas Southern University (-36.65). The enrollments within most COPs do not reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the counties in which they are located. CONCLUSIONS: To meet the healthcare needs of an increasingly diverse population, each institution should establish a strategic plan for increasing diversity and evaluating and adopting best practices.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the disproportionality of racial and ethnic people of color (i.e., minorities) among the student body in schools and colleges of pharmacy (COPs) compared to county-specific United States Census Bureau data. METHODS: Data were obtained from national databases and published reports from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. In addition, demographic information for enrollees of minority-serving institutions and predominantly white institutions was obtained and racial disproportionality was assessed to determine the degree of concordance between enrollees and the demographics of people within the county that the school was located. Data were evaluated using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Compared to the general population in counties where COPs are located, Asians are over-represented while all other students of color are underrepresented. The top schools that have a negative disproportionality rate for Black students included Thomas Jefferson University (-40.49), Wayne State University (-40.13), Philadelphia College of Pharmacy (-39.90), and the University of Tennessee (-39.74).The top five schools that have a negative disproportionality rate of Hispanic students included Loma Linda University (-45.67), California Health Sciences (-45.64), the University of Southern California (-43.79), the University of the Pacific California (-37.95), and Texas Southern University (-36.65). The enrollments within most COPs do not reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the counties in which they are located. CONCLUSIONS: To meet the healthcare needs of an increasingly diverse population, each institution should establish a strategic plan for increasing diversity and evaluating and adopting best practices.