Adult children of immigrants are significantly overrepresented in the U.S. healthcare workforce, particularly among physicians, surgeons, and other practitioners, according to a new analysis by KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation).
The study, based on 2023 Current Population Survey data, found that U.S.-born nonelderly adults with immigrant parents make up 13% of healthcare practitioners, over double their 6% share of the working-age population. This reflects their comparatively high employment, educational attainment, and income levels.
Forty-five percent of adult children of immigrants hold at least a bachelor’s degree, compared to 40% of those with U.S.-born parents. They are also more likely to live in higher-income households, with 39% having annual incomes of $90,000 or more, versus 36% of their peers with U.S.-born parents.
The findings highlight the critical role that immigrants and their children play in the U.S. healthcare system. Despite making up a small fraction of the overall population, they are disproportionately represented in key healthcare professions that are vital to meeting the nation’s health needs.
The analysis underscores the importance of policies that support and facilitate the integration of immigrants and their families into American society. Ensuring access to education and economic opportunities can help leverage the talents and contributions of this important demographic.
See “Adult Children of Immigrants Make Outsized Contributions to the U.S. Health Care Workforce” (March 13, 2024)
