By AACOM

BETHESDA, Md., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Long before COVID-19, decades of societal, systemic inequalities have contributed to health disparities and educational inequities for ethnic minorities and communities of color. Now, results from a first of its kind, national medical education empathy study, co-sponsored by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), could provide medical schools with an evidence-based assessment to help them not only improve diversity in admissions, but also help address the long-standing health disparities plaguing our nation and harming patient health.

Only 10% of the 350,000 people who recently signed up for a coronavirus vaccine clinical trial are Black and Hispanic, according to CNN. This low number of participants is especially concerning given the disproportionately higher rates of COVID-19 in these communities.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- "As we continue to see surges of COVID-19 cases in Hispanic communities, we thank the Committee of 100 (C100) for their generous donation of over 60,000 FDA Approved Surgical N95 Respirator Masks to 15 of our member agencies delivering front-line COVID-19 health and mental health services. More than ever we need to support each other," said Jane L. Delgado, PhD, MS, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (the Alliance). 

According to the most recent U.S. Census, Hispanics are the least likely racial or ethnic group to seek medical care. This contributes to less access to information about common health risks and how diet can help protect against preventable diseases. A recent survey by the Hass Avocado Board (HAB) points to an important opportunity for more education specifically about the benefits of good dietary fats like those found in fresh avocados. Given Hispanics are the youngest ethnic group in America, nearly 15 years younger than whites, teaching vital nutrition lessons now will have a big impact on the growing community.