Global migration, intermarriage, and geographic mobility are changing the demographic composition of cities and states across the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than half of the nation’s children are expected to be part of a minority race or ethnic group by 2020. Similarly, the minority population is expected to rise to 56 percent of the total population in 2060 compared to 38 percent in 2014. This population dynamic calls attention to the need to address current and future shortages as well as challenges in education and training to address the ongoing lack of diversity in existing research, public health workforce, and post-graduate training occupations. In key economic areas including medical care, policy development and representative government, there is a clear need for culturally competent leaders to lead educational programs and become the next generation that addresses the needs of growing, yet underrepresented minority populations. This presentation will highlight three distinct programs at different levels of the educational continuum to illustrate the important role that proactive educational policy can play in times of change.
The presentation will draw from a number of focused training and education curriculum that help provided inclusion and training to minority students and which offer insights and competency training to non-minority students interested in working with underrepresented populations. The discussion will review high school programs that promote STEM projects, summer training opportunities, and focused programs that introduce college students to public health, research and diverse workforce. These programs offer experience and encourage education opportunities.
