Resolution 316, "Medical Education for Members in Underserved Minority Populations"

Original Resolution 316 Submitted by the National Medical Association:

WHEREAS, There are significant documented health care disparities between under-represented minority populations and the majority population at-large, including HIV/AIDS, immunization rates, cancer heart disease, diabetes and infant mortality; and

WHEREAS, These populations have less access to health care facilities and physicians; and

WHEREAS, Minority physicians of the same ethnicity and cultures as these underserved populations are more likely to treat them; and members of these populations often prefer a physician of the same ethnicity and culture; and

WHEREAS, The number of underrepresented minority physicians in training has declined due to a concerted effort to reduce resources needed to expose children to the necessary math and science background required to complete a course of medical education; and

WHEREAS, While AMA Policy 460.998 on "Support of Biomedical Research" endorses biomedical research, the declining number of underrepresented minority physicians in training is also contributed to by a lack of inclusion of minority populations in biomedical research and a lack of exposure of students at the undergraduated and medical school levels to biomedical research; and

WHEREAS, The number of underrepresented minority applications to medical school has dropped 12 percent since 1994, due to a lack of scholarship aid and other support for qualified minority medical school applicants; and a perception by these students of decreasing opportunity; and an increase in activity of anti-affirmative action proponents; and

WHEREAS, The number of underrepresented minority medical school matriculants declined by 7.5 percent between 1994 and 1998; and

WHEREAS, AMA Policy 160.959 on "Health Care Access for the Inner-City Poor," which addresses increased education and other resources for underserved populations, is currently being threatened; therefore be it

Recommendations Approved by the American Medical Association House of Delegates at the June 1999 Annual Meeting;

RESOLVED, That our AMA actively oppose the reduction of resources and opportunities used to increase the number of minority medical and premedical students in training; and be it further

RESOLVED, That our AMA use its influence in states and local communities to increase the representation of minority group members in medical education, as long as domestic health care disparities exist between minority populations and the greater population at-large; and be it further

RESOLVED, That our AMA support the need for an increase in the participation of under-represented minorities as investigators, trainees, reviewers, and subjects in peer review biomedical research at all levels; and be it further

RESOLVED, That our AMA, in conjunction with the Minority Affairs Consortium and other appropriate organizations, develop a plan for implementation of a national conference on access to health care in accordance with AMA Policy H-160.959, and present that plan at A-00.