First Nations People: Addressing the Relationships between Under-Enrollment in Medical Education, STEM Education, and Health in the United States

Dharam Persaud-Sharma,Joseph Burns

doi:10.3390/soc8010009

Dharam Persaud-Sharma, Joseph Burns

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/soc8010009

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Abstract

In the United States of America, an analysis of enrollment statistics to institutions of higher education, those pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, as well as those pursuing medical education show a paralleled ethnic stratification. Based upon such stratification, Native Americans consistently rank amongst the lowest demographic groups to enroll in and pursue higher education, STEM or medical education. A perturbed history of the First Nations people in the establishment of the United States of America laid the foundation for a multitude of factors contributing to current trends in health, living, and academic pursuits amongst First Nation’s people. This paper aims to explore the factors underlying the lack of Native American enrollment in higher education, careers in STEM and medicine. An investigation was conducted following a broad literature review relevant to the topic, and articles were critically appraised using the Search, Appraisal, Synthesis of Analysis (SALSA) framework as well as the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR). Findings from such studies indicate that the Native American communities face a unique set of social circumstances rooted in a historical context, with several unmet basic needs of living required for integration, access, and pursuit of higher education.

Highlights

In the United States, Native American (NA) students continue to lag behind non-Native American students in high school completion, post-secondary education enrollment/completion and enrollment in professional programs like medical school
This cycle perpetuates the dearth of skilled Native American personnel trained in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) fields, including medicine, from serving First Nations’
The Indian Health Service target areas of emphasis served as a model for structuring the discussion of Native American health and education disparities

Summary

Introduction

In the United States, Native American (NA) students continue to lag behind non-Native American students in high school completion, post-secondary education enrollment/completion and enrollment in professional programs like medical school. There is an innumerable list of historical factors that contribute to these issues, yet there is a paucity of information available with programs and methods to ameliorate these factors to improve enrollment, retention, training, and population health. This cycle perpetuates the dearth of skilled Native American personnel trained in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) fields, including medicine, from serving First Nations’. Income from gaming has transformed life for tribal members. This new economic prosperity does not protect against issues concerning health and education that plague

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