Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Curricula in US Medical Schools: A CERA Study

Abstract

Introduction: Health disparities among African Americans are an historic and pervasive problem in US health care. We examined the presence, requirements, and content of curricula in US medical schools dedicated to racial and ethnic health disparities. Methods: We conducted a national CERA survey of Family Medicine department chairs. Chairs were asked about disparities curricula in their institutions. Results: Ninety-two percent reported that their medical school curriculum included focus on racial and ethnic disparities. However, many were dissatisfied with the content and quality of their curricular offerings. There were no significant departmental predictors of the quality of health disparities curricula. Conclusion: The majority of medical schools address health disparities in their curricula, but optimally covering this important content remains a persistent challenge in medical school education.