Affirmative Action Bans and Enrollment of Students From Underrepresented Racial and Ethnic Groups in U.S. Public Medical Schools

Between 1985 and 2019, eight states enacted laws that banned affirmative action during the selection of applicants into 21 public medical schools. This study examined whether the bans affected enrollment from racial and ethnic groups that are underrepresented in medicine.

Use this article to:

  • Find out if your state is among those that ban affirmative action.
  • Reflect on the diversity of your own medical school classes.
  • Understand why it's important to improve the diversity of medical students and residents. Read this editorial to gain perspective on the issue.

Annals of Internal Medicine is the premier internal medicine academic journal published by the American College of Physicians (ACP). It is one of the most widely cited and influential specialty medical journals in the world.

Back to the August 2022 issue of ACP IMpact