The Trump administration’s crackdown on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs could intensify the already steep decline in diversity among medical school students, raising concerns about future patient care, experts warn.
Since taking office, President Donald Trump has issued executive orders terminating DEI initiatives in federally funded programs. His administration’s recent directive warns schools to eliminate race-based programs or risk losing federal funding, citing the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling against race-conscious college admissions.
While California and eight other states had already banned affirmative action in admissions, schools maintained diversity through targeted scholarships and recruitment efforts. However, these strategies have been significantly curtailed, contributing to sharp declines in medical school diversity. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) reported that Black medical school enrollees dropped 11.6%, Hispanic enrollees fell 10.8%, and American Indian or Alaska Native enrollees plummeted 22.1% in the 2024-25 school year.
“We knew this would happen,” said Norma Poll-Hunter, AAMC’s senior director of workforce diversity. “But it was much larger than anticipated.”
Educators fear numbers will continue to fall under Trump’s policies. In February, the Department of Education launched an online portal for reporting “illegal discriminatory practices,” reinforcing concerns that schools will further limit diversity efforts.
Medical school officials have largely remained silent on the issue, with requests for comment going unanswered. However, some students worry they will not be considered for admission under the new policies or that institutions will be less supportive of students of color.
The crackdown has already led to lawsuits challenging DEI-related programs. In February, the Pacific Legal Foundation sued UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland over an internship for underrepresented minority students, arguing that a White student was unfairly excluded. Another lawsuit claims the University of California system favored Black and Latino students over Asian American and White applicants by using subjective admissions criteria.
“How do you choose diversity without violating the Constitution?” said Andrew Quinio, the attorney behind the UCSF lawsuit. “Diversity cannot be achieved through discrimination.”
Despite legal pressure, some officials insist DEI programs remain legally defensible. California Attorney General Rob Bonta recently joined other state attorneys general in urging schools to continue diversity efforts despite federal opposition.
Experts warn that declining medical school diversity could have serious consequences for healthcare. Studies have shown that Black primary care doctors contribute to longer life expectancy and lower mortality rates among Black patients. Physicians of color are also more likely to serve medically underserved communities, which is critical amid a projected shortage of up to 40,400 primary care doctors by 2036.
“The physician shortage persists, especially in rural areas,” Poll-Hunter said. “More diversity leads to greater access to care. Everyone benefits.”
