Promoting racial diversity in health care is both a moral and a practical necessity, because without African American physicians, we cannot eliminate health disparities. Why? Because studies consistently show that African American physicians are more likely than other doctors to practice in poorer communities where medical care is hard to find, yet much in need. African Americans also prefer and communicate better with black physicians.

This is easy to understand: Cultural competence is less of an issue when dealing with a doctor from one's own culture, and so is the mistrust that all too often springs up between African Americans and their physicians. Finally, black doctors and groups such as the National Medical Association have historically advocated for more equitable care for African American patients.

Clearly, the African American physician is a key player in ending racial disparities, but there have never been enough. Many schools of medicine barred African Americans through the '40s and '50s; the number of medical students studying at schools other than Howard and Meharry actually fell from 216 in 1956 to 164 in 1961. By 1967, African American doctors made up only 2 percent of doctors, although African Americans constituted 11 percent of the population. Herbert M. Morais' The History of the Afro American in Medicine noted that many medical residency programs did not accept African American physicians.

Today the training of African American doctors is a measure of health that is improving rapidly: They now constitute over 6 percent of physicians. If you are looking for an African American physician in your area, the National Medical Association's PHYSicians Locator Service can help you find a member doctor. Call the toll-free number, 1-888-662-7497.