Beyond the White Coat: Addressing the Diversity Gap in Veterinary Ophthalmology.

Abstract

Veterinary medicine has long been acknowledged as one of the least diverse health professions in the United States. According to 2023 AVMA data, over 85% of veterinarians identify as white, a figure that remains disproportionately high compared to the general population. In contrast, non-Hispanic white individuals represent about 59% of the U.S. population according to 2020 Census data. This disparity is even more pronounced in veterinary specialty colleges. For example, while Black veterinarians represent only 2% of the profession overall, their estimated representation within board-certified specialties, including veterinary ophthalmology, falls below 1%. Similarly, Latinx individuals make up 5.4% of matched candidates in specialty programs, far below their 19% share of the general U.S. population.