Immigrant Physicians’ Crucial Role in US Healthcare: A Look at Alam’s 2025 Book
TL/DR –
Immigrant physicians have supported healthcare in underserved regions of the US for approximately six decades, according to a book by Eram Alam. Around a quarter of physicians in the country over the past 60 years have been immigrants who predominantly serve as primary care providers in overlooked urban and rural communities. These physicians, often from Asia and Africa, faced racism from a medical establishment wary of non-white professionals with accented English.
Immigrant Physicians Bolstering Healthcare in Underserved American Regions
For approximately six decades, immigrant physicians have been significant contributors to the healthcare systems in underserved urban and rural America. This trend emerged with the advent of government healthcare programs and a national shortage of primary care providers.
Despite facing resistance and racism, these physicians, primarily from Asia and Africa, were recruited to work in the U.S from the 1960s onwards. Researcher Eram Alam discussed this in her 2025 book, “The Care of Foreigners: How Immigrant Physicians Changed U.S. Healthcare” at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs’ International Book Blitz.
Alam reveals that over the past 60 years, approximately one-fourth of U.S. physicians have been immigrants, serving as primary care providers in America’s overlooked urban and rural communities. The need for such physicians increased with the introduction of Medicare and Medicaid, combined with the desegregation of hospitals due to the Civil Rights Movement.
Addressing Racial Bias in the Medical Establishment
Despite their contributions, these professionals often faced discrimination from a medical establishment resistant to non-white professionals with accented English. Alam’s book advocates for comprehensive reform in healthcare and immigration to ensure reliable healthcare for all U.S. residents.
Exploring Other Contributions to Society
The Book Blitz also included discussions on diverse topics such as urban planning and globalization. For instance, Bruno Carvalho discussed his book, “The Invention of the Future: A History of Cities in the Modern World,” which explores urban planning from the 1700s to modern times.
Meanwhile, Ian Kumekawa showcased his COVID-era project, “Empty Vessel: The Story of the Global Economy in One Barge.” In this book, he recounts the history of offshore industries and global trade from the perspective of a single shipping barge.
Focusing on Education and Migration
The discussion also touched upon the impacts of migration on education. Gabrielle Oliveira’s book, “Now We’re Here: Family Migration, Children’s Education and Dreams for a Better Life,” focuses on the experiences of migrant families and the sacrifices parents make for their children’s education.
Exploring Slavery in Medieval Europe
Finally, historian Daniel Lord Smail discussed his book, “Magdalena Coline: A Life Beyond Slavery in Mediterranean Europe.” It explores the history of slavery in medieval Europe through the lens of a once-enslaved African woman, challenging previous notions of the insignificance of slavery in Europe.
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