Diversity
Diversity in Optometry School
Figure 1: US Optometry Students: Race and Ethnicity Trends by ASAO (Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry)
https://journal.opted.org/article/diversity-in-our-colleges-and-schools-of-optometry/
Figure 2: Percentage distribution of population in the United States in 2016 and 2060, by race and Hispanic Origin by US Census Bureau Statista 2020
https://www.statista.com/statistics/270272/percentage-of-us-population-by-ethnicities/
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Diversity is what makes us unique. It encompasses all the things that make up who we are including everything from our race and ethnicity to our personality. As seen in Figure 1, an overwhelming amount of optometry students in the US are white. However, if we look at Figure 2, the US Census Bureau estimates that over 40% of the US population will be people of color. The numbers don't add up. Everyone deserves to have a doctor who not only speaks their language, but also understands their culture in order to provide them with the best healthcare possible. It is up to this generation to bridge that gap, and create a more diverse optometry field.