LHFI Research in 2009-10                                                                          

Higher Education in the Health Professions: Increasing Latino and Immigrant Student Success

Currently, LHFI is conducting research in conjunction with the Hunter College Immigration and Health Initiative to examine barriers and incentives faced by Latinos (U.S.-born and immigrants) in pursuit of higher education in the health professions. Knowing about Latino immigrants’ perceived barriers to academic achievement is crucial for the design of recruitment strategies so that disadvantaged minorities can achieve academic success in the health professions, and possibly have a positive impact on social and health disparities experienced by the Latino population.

The findings from this research will yield specific policy guidelines and best practices aimed at supporting Latino students’ recruitment and retention in the health professions. This project also will develop valid tools for measuring key barriers to Latino and immigrant participation in health professions. A project abstract has been submitted to the First Triennial Conference on Latino Education and Immigrant Integration at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education in Athens, GA.

Coordinator: Dan Fiedler, MPH