Changes in Occupational Segregation by Gender and Race-Ethnicity in Healthcare: Implications for Policy and Union Practice

Abstract

This paper analyzes the extent to which gender and racial-ethnic segregation in healthcare occupations changed from 1983-2002. Although gender segregation was sizably reduced during this period, men and women in healthcare were still substantially segregated in 2002, to a greater extent by gender than by race and ethnicity. Blacks and non-blacks were more segregated than Hispanics and non-Hispanics. Over the last two decades, the index of segregation of blacks compared with non-blacks remained fairly stable while segregation of Hispanics compared with non-Hispanics markedly increased. Although women made progress entering the highest-paying healthcare occupations, they remained substantially underrepresented. Women and blacks were extremely overrepresented in the lowest-paying occupations. Blacks and Hispanics were underrepresented in better-rewarded occupations. This paper also examines the implications of the findings for policy and union practice.