RECRUITING MINORITIES INTO THE PROFESSION OF EPIDEMIOLOGY - SURVEYINGTHE APPLICANTS MAIL

The underrepresentation in epidemiology of members of racial/ethnic mi nority groups is greater than in medicine and health fields in general . Using printed recruitment materials, eve evaluated the impression th at epidemiology programs might make on prospective minority students. Mainstream recruitment materials were solicited from all identifiable U.S. epidemiology Programs (n = 70) by requesting copies of typical ma ilings to prospective students. Of 51 respondents, 46 sent materials t hat could be analyzed by tabulating and evaluating minority-related co ntent in text and pictures. Materials reflected a generally low-key ap proach to epidemiology student recruitment. Most minority-related text referred to affirmative action or financial aid and was at the school level rather than specific to the epidemiology programs. Few miniorit y-related epidemiology course titles or research interests were identi fied, We recommend including more information about epidemiology and i ts relevance to minority health in mainstream recruitment materials as one possible strategy for increasing the number of minority applicant s.