Led by colleagues from the New York University School of Global Public Health and the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, ASPPH released a new report on the racial and ethnic composition of students, graduates, and faculty in environmental health sciences. The study analyzed 2011 and 2021 data on students, graduates, and faculty to compare changes in the racial and ethnic composition among ASPPH-member institutions.

Results showed:

• Significant proportion increases among Hispanic enrolled students (overall and master’s: both P = .01), Multiracial enrolled students and graduates (overall: both P < .05, master’s level: both P < .05), and Asian tenured professors
• Significant decreases were observed among American Indian/Alaska Native enrolled students (overall and master’s: both P < .05), and White full professors (P < .001) and tenured faculty (P < .001)

Despite these findings, no substantial change existed among the other racial and ethnic groups, and researchers suggest that more efforts are needed to recruit, train, and promote racial and ethnic minorities who can leverage their lived experiences to provide novel solutions to environmental challenges.

The article “Racial and Ethnic Composition of Students, Graduates, and Faculty in Environmental Health Sciences, 2011 to 2021” was published online in Environmental Health Insights.

Contact Emily Burke, senior director of workforce development and applied practice, with any questions at eburke@aspph.org.