Asian American Health Care Manpower
Asian Americans, a group that constituted 4.8% of the resident U.S. popula- tion in the 2010 census, are for the most part well represented in the enroll- ment in health professions, as illustrated in Table 10–5. Today, persons who desire to be physicians in China have the option of studying either Chinese or Western medicine. If they select Western medicine, a limited amount of Chi- nese medicine is also taught. As Chinese traditional medicine is becoming bet- ter recognized and better understood in the United States, more doors are being opened to those who prefer or understand this mode of treatment.
The National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses 2008, prepared by the Bureau of Health Professions of the Health Resources Administration, estimates that the registered nurse population in the United States in 2008 numbered 3,063,162; and 2,596,599 were actively employed in nursing positions. Of this number, 83.2% were White (non-Hispanic) and 5.8% were Asian (non-Hispanic). Given that in 2010 people of Asian (non-Hispanic) populations comprised 4.80% of the resident population (see Table 3–2 from Chapter 3), this is a clear indication that there is demographic parity in the percentage of Asian (non- Hispanic) people in nursing.
This chapter has presented an introductory overview of selected cultural phenomena, HEALTH traditions, and health issues of people from Asian heri- tages. Needless to say, a bigger picture of the phenomenon could fill many books. However, given the significant number of new Asians immigrants, espe- cially from China and India, this beginning discussion is very necessary.
Table 10–5 Percentage of Asians Enrolled in Selected Health Professions Schools Compared with Non-Hispanic Whites: 2007–2008