Latinos are the most significant and fastest-growing group in the U.S., yet their presence in healthcare, particularly as physicians, remains disproportionately low.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nationwide, Latinos are 19% of the U.S. population. Still, according to the Pew Research Center, just 7% of all physicians and surgeons are Hispanic. What\u2019s worse -Latinas make up just 2% of the physician population, according to researchers at UCLA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The underrepresentation of Latinos in the physician workforce has significant implications for healthcare equity. Latino patients often face barriers in accessing culturally competent care, language barriers, and a lack of trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Emma Olivera has focused much of her work on helping the medically underserved community by taking on various leadership roles, including as a pediatrician in the suburbs of Chicago. It is here where she aspires to advocate for children and continue to mentor the next generation of leaders in medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Olivera was a guest on the program \u201c3 Questions With\u2026\u201d<\/a> hosted by Hugo Balta<\/a>, publisher of IL Latino News.<\/p>\n\n\n\n