GITNUXREPORT 2026

Diversity Equity And Inclusion In The Health Industry Statistics

The U.S. healthcare workforce and patient outcomes reflect significant and persistent racial, ethnic, and gender disparities.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

41% of DEI programs in U.S. hospitals included implicit bias training in 2023

Statistic 2

65% of medical schools mandated DEI curricula by 2022

Statistic 3

Health systems investing in DEI saw 22% higher employee retention in 2021 surveys

Statistic 4

78% of large hospitals had DEI officers in 2023, up from 45% in 2019

Statistic 5

Supplier diversity programs in healthcare reached $10B spend with minority-owned firms in 2022

Statistic 6

52% of nurses reported DEI training improved patient interactions in 2023 poll

Statistic 7

Pharma companies with strong DEI policies had 15% more diverse clinical trials in 2021

Statistic 8

90% of academic health centers committed to anti-racism pledges by 2022

Statistic 9

DEI budget allocations in hospitals rose 30% from 2020-2023

Statistic 10

72% of hospitals expanded cultural competency training post-2020

Statistic 11

DEI metrics included in 55% exec compensation 2023

Statistic 12

Nursing DEI scholarships reached 10,000 awards in 2022

Statistic 13

88% med schools had affinity groups for minorities 2023

Statistic 14

Health equity dashboards adopted by 40% systems 2022

Statistic 15

Pronoun policies in 67% clinics improved trans inclusion 2023

Statistic 16

Minority mentorship programs boosted retention 28% in residencies 2021

Statistic 17

35% increase in diverse vendor contracts post-DEI push 2022

Statistic 18

Virtual DEI summits reached 50,000 providers in 2023

Statistic 19

In 2023, uninsured rates for Black Americans were 10.8%, twice that of white Americans at 5.6%, hindering access to care

Statistic 20

Hispanic adults faced 22% higher emergency department reliance for primary care in 2022 due to access barriers

Statistic 21

Rural Black patients traveled 20% farther for specialists in 2021 than white counterparts

Statistic 22

In 2023, 15% of LGBTQ+ individuals avoided care due to discrimination fears, vs. 4% overall

Statistic 23

Low-income patients had 30% lower screening rates for breast cancer in 2022

Statistic 24

Asian Americans experienced 12% language barrier-related delays in care in 2021

Statistic 25

Disabled adults reported 25% higher unmet dental needs in 2023

Statistic 26

In 2022, 18% of Native American communities lacked nearby pharmacies

Statistic 27

Women of color had 40% less access to maternal health specialists in underserved areas in 2021

Statistic 28

In 2023, 28% of low-SES patients skipped medications due to cost, vs. 8% high-SES

Statistic 29

11% fewer telehealth visits for Black patients in 2022 rural areas

Statistic 30

33% of low-income seniors lacked transportation to appointments 2023

Statistic 31

Mental health wait times 50% longer for minorities in 2021

Statistic 32

24% of disabled children missed vaccines due to access 2022

Statistic 33

Hispanic farmworkers had 40% less clinic proximity 2023

Statistic 34

17% insurance denials higher for women of color 2022

Statistic 35

Urban poor had 28% fewer PCPs per capita 2021

Statistic 36

Transgender access to affirming care: 22% availability gap 2023

Statistic 37

Elderly immigrants: 19% language-discriminated in ERs 2022

Statistic 38

Prison releasees: 60% unmet health needs post-release 2021

Statistic 39

Black maternal mortality rate was 69.9 per 100,000 births in 2022, 2.6 times higher than white women at 26.6

Statistic 40

Hispanic patients had 15% higher diabetes complication rates in 2021 due to disparities

Statistic 41

LGBTQ+ youth suicide attempt rates were 4x higher than straight peers in 2022 healthcare data

Statistic 42

Disabled individuals experienced 20% higher COVID-19 hospitalization rates in 2021

Statistic 43

Native Americans had 2.1x higher heart disease mortality in 2022 vs. whites

Statistic 44

Low-income cancer patients had 35% lower 5-year survival rates in 2023 studies

Statistic 45

Black men faced prostate cancer mortality 2.2 times higher than white men in 2021

Statistic 46

Women in rural areas had 19% higher stroke mortality in 2022

Statistic 47

Asian elderly had 25% higher undiagnosed hypertension rates in 2023

Statistic 48

Hispanic stroke mortality 20% higher than whites in 2022

Statistic 49

Disabled adults obesity rates 27% vs. 20% non-disabled 2023

Statistic 50

LGBTQ+ depression rates 2.5x higher in healthcare surveys 2022

Statistic 51

Native cancer screening 15% lower adherence 2021

Statistic 52

Low-SES hypertension control 45% vs. 68% high-SES 2023

Statistic 53

Black infants low birthweight 13.7% vs. 7% white 2022

Statistic 54

Rural women cervical cancer rates 35% higher 2021

Statistic 55

Asian smokers lung cancer mortality 1.8x despite lower smoking 2023

Statistic 56

Homeless life expectancy 30 years less in 2022 studies

Statistic 57

Sickle cell (mostly Black) hospital readmissions 25% higher 2021

Statistic 58

In 2023, only 4% of U.S. hospital CEOs were Black, despite 12% of the population being Black

Statistic 59

Women held 27% of hospital board chair positions in 2022, up from 22% in 2018

Statistic 60

Asian Americans occupied 12% of C-suite roles in major health systems in 2023, often overrepresented relative to population

Statistic 61

In 2021, 3.1% of department chairs in U.S. medical schools were Black, despite 5.7% of faculty being Black

Statistic 62

Latino executives made up 4.2% of health system leadership teams in 2022

Statistic 63

Only 7% of U.S. healthcare board members were from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups in 2023

Statistic 64

Women physicians led just 17% of medical practices in 2022

Statistic 65

In 2023, 2.5% of hospital CMOs were from Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander backgrounds

Statistic 66

Black women held 1.8% of VP-level positions in pharma companies in 2021

Statistic 67

11% of academic medical center deans were women in 2022

Statistic 68

Only 8% of orthopedic surgeons were women in 2023

Statistic 69

Hispanic deans in nursing schools: 2.7% in 2022

Statistic 70

6% of biotech CEOs were from underrepresented groups in 2023

Statistic 71

Women CFOs in hospitals: 22% in 2022

Statistic 72

Black CMIOs: 3.4% in large systems 2023

Statistic 73

14% of medical group partners were Asian women 2021

Statistic 74

Native leaders in tribal health: 45% but only 12% in urban clinics 2022

Statistic 75

LGBTQ+ hospital board members: 4.1% self-identified in 2023

Statistic 76

Disabled executives in pharma: 1.9% in 2022

Statistic 77

25% of surgery department chairs were women in 2023 top schools

Statistic 78

Foreign-born leaders: 18% in health tech firms 2022

Statistic 79

In 2023, women comprised 37% of active physicians in the U.S., despite making up over 50% of medical school graduates in recent years

Statistic 80

Black or African American physicians represented just 5.7% of the total U.S. physician workforce in 2022, while comprising 13.6% of the U.S. population

Statistic 81

Hispanic or Latino physicians accounted for 6.9% of active U.S. physicians in 2023, compared to 19% of the U.S. population

Statistic 82

Asian physicians made up 20.9% of the U.S. physician workforce in 2022, significantly higher than their 6% population share but concentrated in certain specialties

Statistic 83

In 2021, only 1.2% of U.S. physicians identified as American Indian or Alaska Native, versus 1.3% of the population

Statistic 84

Nurses from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups constituted 19.9% of the registered nurse workforce in 2022, up from 16.8% in 2017

Statistic 85

In 2023, 84% of U.S. nursing home administrators were white, while only 9% were Black despite higher care needs in minority communities

Statistic 86

Pharmacists identifying as Black or African American were 6.1% of the workforce in 2020, below their 13.4% population proportion

Statistic 87

In 2022, 28% of U.S. medical students were from underrepresented racial/ethnic minorities, a record high but still lagging population demographics

Statistic 88

Dental professionals from Hispanic backgrounds represented 5.8% in 2021, compared to 18.9% of the U.S. population

Statistic 89

In 2023, 42% of U.S. physicians were female, but only 18% specialized in cardiology

Statistic 90

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander nurses were 0.3% of RN workforce in 2022

Statistic 91

Multi-racial physicians grew to 2.1% of workforce in 2021

Statistic 92

In optometry, Black practitioners were 2.4% in 2023

Statistic 93

Physical therapists from Hispanic backgrounds: 4.5% in 2022

Statistic 94

1.1% of U.S. anesthesiologists were Black in 2023

Statistic 95

Emergency medicine had 4.2% female attendings in rural areas 2022

Statistic 96

Radiology techs: 12% Black in 2021 urban vs. 3% rural

Statistic 97

Midwives from underrepresented minorities: 13% in 2023

Statistic 98

Psychiatrists: 5.8% Asian in leadership-heavy roles 2022

1/98

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While the face of medicine is becoming more diverse, the health industry still grapples with stark disparities that prove a patient’s race, gender, or zip code can determine the quality of their care.

Key Takeaways

In 2023, women comprised 37% of active physicians in the U.S., despite making up over 50% of medical school graduates in recent years
Black or African American physicians represented just 5.7% of the total U.S. physician workforce in 2022, while comprising 13.6% of the U.S. population
Hispanic or Latino physicians accounted for 6.9% of active U.S. physicians in 2023, compared to 19% of the U.S. population
In 2023, only 4% of U.S. hospital CEOs were Black, despite 12% of the population being Black
Women held 27% of hospital board chair positions in 2022, up from 22% in 2018
Asian Americans occupied 12% of C-suite roles in major health systems in 2023, often overrepresented relative to population
In 2023, uninsured rates for Black Americans were 10.8%, twice that of white Americans at 5.6%, hindering access to care
Hispanic adults faced 22% higher emergency department reliance for primary care in 2022 due to access barriers
Rural Black patients traveled 20% farther for specialists in 2021 than white counterparts
Black maternal mortality rate was 69.9 per 100,000 births in 2022, 2.6 times higher than white women at 26.6
Hispanic patients had 15% higher diabetes complication rates in 2021 due to disparities
LGBTQ+ youth suicide attempt rates were 4x higher than straight peers in 2022 healthcare data
41% of DEI programs in U.S. hospitals included implicit bias training in 2023
65% of medical schools mandated DEI curricula by 2022
Health systems investing in DEI saw 22% higher employee retention in 2021 surveys

The U.S. healthcare workforce and patient outcomes reflect significant and persistent racial, ethnic, and gender disparities.

DEI Initiatives and Training

41% of DEI programs in U.S. hospitals included implicit bias training in 2023
65% of medical schools mandated DEI curricula by 2022
Health systems investing in DEI saw 22% higher employee retention in 2021 surveys
78% of large hospitals had DEI officers in 2023, up from 45% in 2019
Supplier diversity programs in healthcare reached $10B spend with minority-owned firms in 2022
52% of nurses reported DEI training improved patient interactions in 2023 poll
Pharma companies with strong DEI policies had 15% more diverse clinical trials in 2021
90% of academic health centers committed to anti-racism pledges by 2022
DEI budget allocations in hospitals rose 30% from 2020-2023
72% of hospitals expanded cultural competency training post-2020
DEI metrics included in 55% exec compensation 2023
Nursing DEI scholarships reached 10,000 awards in 2022
88% med schools had affinity groups for minorities 2023
Health equity dashboards adopted by 40% systems 2022
Pronoun policies in 67% clinics improved trans inclusion 2023
Minority mentorship programs boosted retention 28% in residencies 2021
35% increase in diverse vendor contracts post-DEI push 2022
Virtual DEI summits reached 50,000 providers in 2023

DEI Initiatives and Training Interpretation

Despite the cynics' best efforts, the data shows that when healthcare institutions actually put money and mandates behind DEI—from implicit bias training to diverse clinical trials—they don't just check a box, they improve staff retention, patient care, and ultimately, the entire system's health.

Equity in Access to Care

In 2023, uninsured rates for Black Americans were 10.8%, twice that of white Americans at 5.6%, hindering access to care
Hispanic adults faced 22% higher emergency department reliance for primary care in 2022 due to access barriers
Rural Black patients traveled 20% farther for specialists in 2021 than white counterparts
In 2023, 15% of LGBTQ+ individuals avoided care due to discrimination fears, vs. 4% overall
Low-income patients had 30% lower screening rates for breast cancer in 2022
Asian Americans experienced 12% language barrier-related delays in care in 2021
Disabled adults reported 25% higher unmet dental needs in 2023
In 2022, 18% of Native American communities lacked nearby pharmacies
Women of color had 40% less access to maternal health specialists in underserved areas in 2021
In 2023, 28% of low-SES patients skipped medications due to cost, vs. 8% high-SES
11% fewer telehealth visits for Black patients in 2022 rural areas
33% of low-income seniors lacked transportation to appointments 2023
Mental health wait times 50% longer for minorities in 2021
24% of disabled children missed vaccines due to access 2022
Hispanic farmworkers had 40% less clinic proximity 2023
17% insurance denials higher for women of color 2022
Urban poor had 28% fewer PCPs per capita 2021
Transgender access to affirming care: 22% availability gap 2023
Elderly immigrants: 19% language-discriminated in ERs 2022
Prison releasees: 60% unmet health needs post-release 2021

Equity in Access to Care Interpretation

These statistics reveal a healthcare system riddled with preventable obstacles, where one's zip code, income, race, or identity still too often dictates the distance to care, the dignity in receiving it, and tragically, even the odds of surviving it.

Equity in Health Outcomes

Black maternal mortality rate was 69.9 per 100,000 births in 2022, 2.6 times higher than white women at 26.6
Hispanic patients had 15% higher diabetes complication rates in 2021 due to disparities
LGBTQ+ youth suicide attempt rates were 4x higher than straight peers in 2022 healthcare data
Disabled individuals experienced 20% higher COVID-19 hospitalization rates in 2021
Native Americans had 2.1x higher heart disease mortality in 2022 vs. whites
Low-income cancer patients had 35% lower 5-year survival rates in 2023 studies
Black men faced prostate cancer mortality 2.2 times higher than white men in 2021
Women in rural areas had 19% higher stroke mortality in 2022
Asian elderly had 25% higher undiagnosed hypertension rates in 2023
Hispanic stroke mortality 20% higher than whites in 2022
Disabled adults obesity rates 27% vs. 20% non-disabled 2023
LGBTQ+ depression rates 2.5x higher in healthcare surveys 2022
Native cancer screening 15% lower adherence 2021
Low-SES hypertension control 45% vs. 68% high-SES 2023
Black infants low birthweight 13.7% vs. 7% white 2022
Rural women cervical cancer rates 35% higher 2021
Asian smokers lung cancer mortality 1.8x despite lower smoking 2023
Homeless life expectancy 30 years less in 2022 studies
Sickle cell (mostly Black) hospital readmissions 25% higher 2021

Equity in Health Outcomes Interpretation

Behind every statistic lies an urgent reminder that a person's health outcomes in America are still too often prescribed by their identity, not just their symptoms, highlighting a system where your ZIP code, income, or race can be a pre-existing condition.

Leadership Diversity

In 2023, only 4% of U.S. hospital CEOs were Black, despite 12% of the population being Black
Women held 27% of hospital board chair positions in 2022, up from 22% in 2018
Asian Americans occupied 12% of C-suite roles in major health systems in 2023, often overrepresented relative to population
In 2021, 3.1% of department chairs in U.S. medical schools were Black, despite 5.7% of faculty being Black
Latino executives made up 4.2% of health system leadership teams in 2022
Only 7% of U.S. healthcare board members were from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups in 2023
Women physicians led just 17% of medical practices in 2022
In 2023, 2.5% of hospital CMOs were from Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander backgrounds
Black women held 1.8% of VP-level positions in pharma companies in 2021
11% of academic medical center deans were women in 2022
Only 8% of orthopedic surgeons were women in 2023
Hispanic deans in nursing schools: 2.7% in 2022
6% of biotech CEOs were from underrepresented groups in 2023
Women CFOs in hospitals: 22% in 2022
Black CMIOs: 3.4% in large systems 2023
14% of medical group partners were Asian women 2021
Native leaders in tribal health: 45% but only 12% in urban clinics 2022
LGBTQ+ hospital board members: 4.1% self-identified in 2023
Disabled executives in pharma: 1.9% in 2022
25% of surgery department chairs were women in 2023 top schools
Foreign-born leaders: 18% in health tech firms 2022

Leadership Diversity Interpretation

While celebrating the small victories is tempting, these numbers are not progress but a stark diagnosis of a leadership ecosystem that remains dangerously pale, male, and stale, proving the health industry is still far better at treating its own inequities than curing them.

Workforce Demographics

In 2023, women comprised 37% of active physicians in the U.S., despite making up over 50% of medical school graduates in recent years
Black or African American physicians represented just 5.7% of the total U.S. physician workforce in 2022, while comprising 13.6% of the U.S. population
Hispanic or Latino physicians accounted for 6.9% of active U.S. physicians in 2023, compared to 19% of the U.S. population
Asian physicians made up 20.9% of the U.S. physician workforce in 2022, significantly higher than their 6% population share but concentrated in certain specialties
In 2021, only 1.2% of U.S. physicians identified as American Indian or Alaska Native, versus 1.3% of the population
Nurses from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups constituted 19.9% of the registered nurse workforce in 2022, up from 16.8% in 2017
In 2023, 84% of U.S. nursing home administrators were white, while only 9% were Black despite higher care needs in minority communities
Pharmacists identifying as Black or African American were 6.1% of the workforce in 2020, below their 13.4% population proportion
In 2022, 28% of U.S. medical students were from underrepresented racial/ethnic minorities, a record high but still lagging population demographics
Dental professionals from Hispanic backgrounds represented 5.8% in 2021, compared to 18.9% of the U.S. population
In 2023, 42% of U.S. physicians were female, but only 18% specialized in cardiology
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander nurses were 0.3% of RN workforce in 2022
Multi-racial physicians grew to 2.1% of workforce in 2021
In optometry, Black practitioners were 2.4% in 2023
Physical therapists from Hispanic backgrounds: 4.5% in 2022
1.1% of U.S. anesthesiologists were Black in 2023
Emergency medicine had 4.2% female attendings in rural areas 2022
Radiology techs: 12% Black in 2021 urban vs. 3% rural
Midwives from underrepresented minorities: 13% in 2023
Psychiatrists: 5.8% Asian in leadership-heavy roles 2022

Workforce Demographics Interpretation

This data paints a stark portrait of an industry that has successfully built a diverse pipeline, yet continues to hemorrhage that talent before it reaches the communities that need it most.

Sources & References

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