Covid, Inflation, and Supreme Court blamed for steep drop in Native American medical school enrollment

February 28, 2025

A 22% decrease in Native American medical school enrollment in 2024 has raised concerns about the future of healthcare representation. Factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and a 2023 Supreme Court ruling limiting racial or ethnic factors in admissions have contributed to this worrying trend. Native American physicians, who represent just 0.3% of the nation's doctors, face significant barriers to entry, including financial hardships and lack of mentorship. Experts stress the importance of increasing support for Indigenous students in healthcare to address disparities in underserved communities.

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