Breaking the Cycle of Poverty: The Key to Better Serving the Whole Child Mark A. Piasio, MD President Pennsylvania Medical Society

Economic status matters…  College-aged persons from lower income homes are: –Less likely to finish high school –Less likely to enter college –Less likely to earn a bachelor’s degree When compared to other college-aged persons  The cards are stacked against them  Think about it: How many of your colleagues came from low income families?

Specific ethnic groups affected most:  Because poverty disproportionately affects certain ethnic groups  There are fewer college graduates from those groups and thus…  …fewer physicians  African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, and American Indians make up 25% of population…  …but only 7% of physicians and 6% of medical school faculty  Effect of poverty on whites is masked by high representation in college, professions

What can we do about this? Doctors and Lawyers together can:  Put pressure on the public education system  Promote mentorships and career training  Invest in education grants and scholarships for low income kids  Work toward education loan forgiveness programs  Build a safety net for children

PA Medical Society  Has established Task Force on Cultural Competency and Medical Diversity  Will look at ways to encourage youths from low income to pursue medicine as a career  Will explore strategies to make current physicians more aware of disparities  Cultural competence will make medical careers seem more accessible