News release from the American Heart Association:
Closing the diversity gap in the medical field
Macy’s and American Heart Association offer Go Redâ„¢ Multicultural Scholarships(October 6, 2014) — Macy’s and the American Heart Association are continuing their concerted efforts to increase the number of minority women in medical schools through the Go Redâ„¢ Multicultural Scholarship Fund.
For the fourth consecutive year, the partners are offering sixteen $2,500 tuition-focused scholarships for minority women pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in healthcare fields. The deadline to apply for 2015 scholarships is Dec. 31, 2014.
The Go Red Multicultural Scholarship is made possible by the Macy’s Multicultural Fund, which was created in 2009 to focus on increasing diversity in the medical field. Macy’s is a founding national sponsor of the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women® and Go Red Por Tu Corazón raising more than $48 million since 2004.
“The recruitment of diverse women into the healthcare field is an important endeavor that Macy’s is proud to support through the Go Red Multicultural Scholarship Fund,” said William Hawthorne, Macy’s, Inc. senior-vice president Diversity Strategies. “Each year, these scholarships help to support multicultural women pursuing their education in the healthcare industry, which benefit not only the students, but also the communities they will serve.”
Studies show that patients who receive culturally-sensitive care from doctors of the same background are more satisfied and engaged in their treatment. Yet, while African-Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans comprise more than 26 percent of the U.S. population, they represent just 6 percent of practicing physicians, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Additionally, of the 17,364 medical school graduates in 2011, 659 were Hispanic women (3.8 percent); 719 were black women (4.1 percent); and 1,918 where Asian women (11 percent).
The disparity also exists among U.S. medical school faculty: 60 percent are Caucasian, 13 percent are Asian; 4 percent are Hispanic; and 2.9 percent are African-American. The gap is even greater among higher-ranking faculty, according to the AAMC. Furthermore, only 35 percent of women and 3 percent of African-Americans are participants in cardiovascular research trials. Yet, 43 percent of coronary artery disease patients are women and 11 percent are African-Americans.
Earlier this year, American Heart Association chief science officer Rose Marie Robertson told a Food and Drug Administration panel that studies of drugs and medical devices don’t always report what effects these treatments may have on women and minorities.
“Sex, race and ethnicity and age play an important role in how heart disease, stroke and other forms of cardiovascular disease affect us,” Robertson said. “These same factors can cause prescription drugs and medical devices to work differently in women and men, minorities and older people. Yet despite this understanding, women, minorities and the elderly continue to be underrepresented in medical research studies.”
Breaking cultural and language barriers are crucial because African-Americans, Hispanics and other ethnic groups are at higher risk for heart disease and experience worse health outcomes than Caucasians.
For more information about the scholarship and to complete an application, visit Go Red Multicultural Scholarship – Go Red For Women. To learn more about the 2014 scholarship recipients, click here. To learn more about fighting heart disease in women, visit Go Red For Women or Go Red Por Tu Corazón.
About Go Red For Women
Go Red For Women® is the American Heart Association’s national movement to end heart disease in women. We are committed to the fight, for as long as it takes. The American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women® movement advocates for more research and swifter action for women’s heart health. The American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women® movement was created by women, for women. Because our health is non-negotiable, because we have the power to save our lives, and because the best force for women is women. The American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women® movement is nationally sponsored by Macy’s, with additional support from our cause supporters. For more information, please visit GoRedForWomen.org or call 1-888-MY-HEART (1-888-694-3278).About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. Our mission is to build healthier lives by preventing, treating and defeating these diseases — America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers. We fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health. To learn more or join us in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit americanheart.org.About Macy’s
Macy’s, the largest retail brand of Macy’s, Inc., delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at approximately 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam, as well as to customers in the U.S. and more than 100 international destinations through its leading online store at macys.com. Via its stores, e-commerce site, mobile and social platforms, Macy’s offers distinctive assortments including the most desired family of exclusive and fashion brands for him, her and home. Macy’s is known for such epic events as Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks® and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®, as well as spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows and celebrity appearances. Macy’s flagship stores — including Herald Square in New York City, Union Square in San Francisco, State Street in Chicago, Dadeland in Miami and South Coast Plaza in southern California — are known internationally and are leading destinations for visitors. Building on a more than 150-year tradition, and with the collective support of customers and employees, Macy’s helps strengthen communities by supporting local and national charities giving more than $70 million each year to help make a difference in the lives of our customers.