The Institute of Medicine's report, In the Nation's Compelling Interest, documents that:

• Ethnic/racial minority health care providers are more likely to serve minority and medically underserved communities, thereby increasing access to care.
• Ethnic/racial minority patients report greater levels of satisfaction with care provided by minority health professionals.
• Ethnic/racial minority health care providers can help health systems in efforts to reduce cultural and linguistic barriers and improve cultural competence.
• Diversity in higher education and health professions training settings is associated with better educational outcomes among all students.

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