Texas's physician workforce does not resemble the state's population, according to data from the Texas Department of State Health Services’ Health Professions Resource Center .

In 2019, the Hispanic/Latino category accounted for nearly 40% of the Texas population, while only 15% of nurse practitioners and 10% of primary care physicians were Hispanic or Latino.

Among the effects of a need for diversity are language barriers in health care, which can lead to miscommunication and a decreased quality of health care and patient safety, according to local experts.

A closer look

According to the U.S. Census Bureau , Spanish was the most common language spoken at home for 20% of people in Travis County in 2023.

Dr. MiLinda Zabramba, associate chief medical officer for Central Health ,

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