Racial and Ethnic Composition of Students, Graduates, and Faculty in Environmental Health Sciences, 2011 to 2021

Abstract

The lack of diversity among the environmental health sciences (EHS) workforce has been an ongoing concern. However, limited research exists on the racial and ethnic composition of EHS students and faculty over time. We analyzed 2011 and 2021 data on EHS students, graduates, and faculty to compare changes in the racial and ethnic composition among Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health-member institutions. Among the institutions that reported data in both years, we observed 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 ( P = .01). Significant decreases were observed among Unknown enrolled students (overall: P = .01, master’s level: P < .001), Unknown master’s level graduates ( P = .01), AI/AN 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. 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.