Hispanic Students Face Barriers to Health Careers

Holyoke, Massachusetts was selected as the site of this study to identify barriers preventing Hispanic youth from entering the health occupations. The attitudes of students from the local high school towards selected health occupations were assessed. High school guidance counselors were interviewed to determine how they perceived these barriers. Health care agencies in the area were interviewed to determine the number of Hispanics currently in their employ and to assess their willingness to employ others. The most important finding is that Hispanic youth do not differ significantly from Non-Hispanic youth in either their attitudes or their aspirations towards careers in health. The finding is at variance with the perceptions of the majority of the guidance counselors. Health care agencies in the area expressed a willingness to hire trained Hispanics for health occupations. Four major barriers were identified. Recommendations for their removal are presented.