The Underserved and the Unseen: The Impact of DEI Initiatives Cuts

A Threat to Public Health

The Trump administration’s attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives has many public health experts concerned about the future of healthcare in America.

Termination of Key Health Advisory Committees

Since assuming the presidency in January, Trump has terminated key health advisory committees, including the Health Equity Advisory Committee for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In addition, words like “health disparity”, “inclusion”, “health equity” and “inclusion” are being removed from federal databases, research, and websites. In fact, research projects that use such words are at risk of getting terminated altogether.

The Consequences of DEI Initiatives Cuts

It is not just racial or minority groups that are affected by the undermining of DEI initiatives. The cuts have a profound impact on healthcare for all Americans.

Health Disparities

It is true that certain groups have more adverse outcomes for health when compared to White Americans. Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer when compared to White women. Nearly 17% of Hispanics have no health insurance coverage, compared to 5.3% of non-Hispanic White Americans.

Rural Health Disparities

DEI programs do not exclusively promote racial and ethnic groups. For example, consider White Americans living in predominantly rural areas. DEI initiatives offer funding, research, and care to underserved rural areas, often in areas where White Americans make up the majority of the population. It is well known that those who live in rural areas have a 20% higher death rate than Americans who live in urban areas, often from chronic diseases like heart failure and cancer. In addition, many White Americans are less likely to get screening tests for important cancers, which can lead to delayed diagnosis, early disability, and even death.

Affecting All Americans

Lack of funding and support for DEI programs will not just affect minorities in America, it will have profound and devastating effects even for White Americans living in rural areas. Nearly 35 million White Americans live in rural areas, according to the University of New Hampshire Carsey School of Public Policy.

Infectious Diseases

Cuts for DEI initiatives will also affect nearly all Americans, including White Americans who live in urban areas. Consider infectious diseases that do not have borders and can spread easily through travel and close contact. When NIH funding for research or services gets cut for projects specifically examining health disparities for diseases like HIV or TB, it is not just the health of racial minorities or underserved populations that is at stake. Less funding means less resources and preventive measures to help control and combat these infectious diseases. This ultimately translates into more people who will get infected with these diseases, with the potential of spreading it to all Americans, including White Americans in urban neighborhoods. Healthcare and particularly infectious diseases do not operate in a vacuum.

Medical Education and Workforce

As a final example, consider the effect of DEI on medical education and the medical workforce. By eliminating funding for medical schools and programs that foster DEI, not only will there be less people of color graduating from medical schools, there will also be less funding for medical schools, hospitals, and clinics in rural areas and low-income neighborhoods. This means all Americans who live in low-income neighborhoods and rural areas will continue to face barriers in accessing high-quality healthcare. This includes White Americans of low-income and those who live in rural areas who will face challenges in filling prescriptions, getting screening studies, and visiting their primary care doctor.

Conclusion

The attacks on DEI are much more than meets the eye. By dismantling these programs, health disparities will continue to soar, not just for racial minorities but for essentially all Americans. Healthcare should seek to improve health outcomes for all people, and should never be driven by political agendas that ignore the reality of systemic inequities that have been pervasive in America.

FAQs

Q: What are the implications of DEI initiatives cuts for public health?

A: The cuts will lead to a lack of funding and support for programs that promote health equity, which will have a devastating impact on public health, particularly for marginalized communities.

Q: Who will be affected by the cuts?

A: The cuts will affect not just racial and ethnic minorities, but also White Americans living in rural and low-income areas, as well as those in urban areas who are at risk of contracting infectious diseases.

Q: What are the long-term consequences of DEI initiatives cuts?

A: The cuts will lead to a lack of funding for medical schools, hospitals, and clinics in rural areas and low-income neighborhoods, making it difficult for all Americans to access high-quality healthcare.

Q: What is the impact on medical education and the medical workforce?

A: The cuts will lead to a lack of funding for medical schools and programs that foster DEI, resulting in fewer people of color graduating from medical schools and a lack of funding for medical schools, hospitals, and clinics in rural areas and low-income neighborhoods.

Latinas in the United States: Contributions, Accomplishments, and Struggles

Overview

During Women’s History Month, it is essential to acknowledge the significant contributions, accomplishments, and struggles of Latinas in the United States. With over 31 million Latinas in the country, they are a vital part of the nation’s demographic landscape.

Demographics

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 22% of Latinas aged 25 and older have earned at least a bachelor’s degree, compared to 17% of Hispanic men. The number of Latinas obtaining at least a bachelor’s degree has increased by 103% from 2010 to 2021, compared to 38.3% for non-Latinas. Sixty percent of Latinas are 25 or older, and 32% were foreign-born.

Economics, Labor Force Participation, and Latinas

Latinas are significant contributors to large-scale economic gains and prosperity. However, in their daily lives, they often face challenges. According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, if current trends persist, it will take Latinas 182 years to reach pay equity with white men.

Despite these challenges, the economic contributions of Latinas are remarkable. The inaugural U.S. Latina GDP Report reveals that Latina GDP outpaced the economies of all U.S. states except California, Texas, and New York. Specifically, the total economic output of Latinas in 2022 reached $1.3 trillion. From 2010 to 2021, Latina GDP grew by 51.1%, a growth rate 2.7 times faster than non-Latino GDP.

Latinas in the Labor Force

Since 2000, the number of Latinas in the labor force has steadily increased. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in just ten years, 2018 to 2028, the percentage of Latinas in the workforce is projected to increase by about 23%. According to researchers at UCLA and California Lutheran University, between 2000 and 2020, Latinas increased their labor force participation rate by nearly eight percentage points, while the rate for non-Latina women remained flat. From 2010 to 2021, the number of Latinas in the labor force grew by approximately 33%, compared to 3% for non-Latina women.

Challenges and Solutions

While Latinas drive growth in the labor force, many earn low wages and struggle in other ways. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women are more likely than men to work in service jobs, including those in hospitality, personal care, customer service, cleaning, education, and healthcare. In 2024, 31% of Latinas were in service occupations compared to 20% of all employed women. Latinas in these positions had median weekly earnings of $613, the lowest among racial and ethnic groups.

A Few Policy Actions to Support Latinas

To benefit Latinas and all women in the labor force, some possible policy actions include:

• Facilitating greater access to capital to start and grow businesses
• Strengthening legislation focused on reducing the wage gap, especially the gender wage gap
• Enhancing access to free or at least more affordable training programs designed to facilitate and support advancement in the workplace

Conclusion

As the U.S. celebrates women’s accomplishments and recognizes their struggles, it is essential to elevate the stories of Latinas to a more prominent place in our nation’s narrative. By acknowledging their contributions, accomplishments, and challenges, we can work towards a more equitable society where all women, including Latinas, can thrive.

FAQs

• What is the current demographic makeup of Latinas in the United States?
  • According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 22% of Latinas aged 25 and older have earned at least a bachelor’s degree, compared to 17% of Hispanic men.
• What is the economic contribution of Latinas to the U.S. economy?
  • The total economic output of Latinas in 2022 reached $1.3 trillion, and from 2010 to 2021, Latina GDP grew by 51.1%, a growth rate 2.7 times faster than non-Latino GDP.
• How have Latinas contributed to the growth of the U.S. labor force?
  • Since 2000, the number of Latinas in the labor force has steadily increased. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in just ten years, 2018 to 2028, the percentage of Latinas in the workforce is projected to increase by about 23%.

Students Help Paint a Saint-Cyr Art Studios Design Mural

Saint-Cyr Art Studios, a women-owned business led by two Haitian sisters, has designed and implemented custom murals, beautifying spaces and building community through collaborative art.

Why Focus on Local Government and Corporate Contracts

Saint-Cyr didn’t initially set out to build a full-service mural agency by contracting with local governments, healthcare corporations, and nonprofits. Her journey began in 2019 with a vision to provide visual arts programming in underserved communities on Long Island. "I saw a need for visual arts programming throughout certain communities on Long Island," Saint-Cyr explains.

Motivating Artists Through Subcontracting

Marie Saint-Cyr’s journey with Saint-Cyr Art Studio has been marked by significant growth and valuable lessons learned. Initially focused on art education programs, Saint-Cyr expanded into murals for schools, which required adapting to new challenges and scaling the business rapidly.

Growth and Recognition

The turning point for Saint-Cyr came with increased opportunities and larger projects, particularly with government and corporate contracts as a Black woman-owned business. This growth, while positive, brought complexities. "In 2022, all New York City public schools got $75,000 to spend on the arts," Saint-Cyr said. Her team secured numerous contracts, which meant scaling operations quickly. "Within a month, we were able to close about half a million plus," she noted.

Challenges and Lessons Learned

This influx of work forced Saint-Cyr to grow her team and increase production. "We would have to learn how to do four or five murals a week happening simultaneously," she pointed out. However, this rapid expansion led to some painful lessons. Saint-Cyr realized her systems and processes were not robust enough to handle the increased workload. "We didn’t have systems and processes in place," she admitted. "Basically, we’re just figuring it out as we went."

Conclusion

Saint-Cyr’s initial vision to serve her community through art has expanded beyond her expectations. By focusing on government and corporate contracting as a Black woman-owned business, she has grown her business and amplified her impact, bringing art and beauty to a broader audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Saint-Cyr Art Studios?
  Saint-Cyr Art Studios is a women-owned business led by two Haitian sisters that designs and implements custom murals, beautifying spaces and building community through collaborative art.
• What is the focus of Saint-Cyr Art Studios?
  Saint-Cyr Art Studios initially focused on art education programs, but shifted its focus to securing mural contracts with local governments and corporations.
• What are some of the challenges Saint-Cyr faced in her business?
  Saint-Cyr faced challenges in managing a growing team of artists, managing productivity and accountability, and providing financial security to artists.
• What did Saint-Cyr learn from her experiences?
  Saint-Cyr learned the importance of having robust systems and processes in place, and the need to adapt to change. She also learned that providing financial security to artists does not always translate to increased motivation or productivity.