Cultural consciousness and minority representation in health professions.

It appears the problems inherent in the underrepresentation of minorities in the health professions, especially medicine, are likely to continue, at least in the near future. This being the case, it becomes important to maximize the effectiveness of those minorities already in the system.This paper describes a study conducted to verify certain assumptions which underlie programs aimed at increasing minority student enrollment in medical schools. It is assumed minority students are aware of the health problems unique to minority populations, that they plan to do something to address these problems, and that they will have some effect on the problem and the health of minority populations.