Medical Student Debt and the US Infectious Diseases Workforce

Student debt in the United States is at historically high levels and poses an excessive burden on medical graduates. Studies suggest that financial limitations dissuade some medical trainees from pursuing careers in infectious diseases (ID) and other cognitive specialties, despite their interest in the subject matter. Addressing student debt may have a transformative impact on ID recruitment, diversification of the ID workforce, and contributions of ID physicians to underserved public health needs. Relief of student debt also has the potential to narrow the racial wealth gap because nonwhite students are more likely to finance their postsecondary education, including medical school, with student loans, yet they have a lower earning potential following graduation. An executive order from the Biden-Harris administration announced in August 2022 presents a first step toward student debt relief, but the policy would need to be expanded in volume and scope to effectively achieve these goals.