%0 Journal Article
%T Gender and Ethnocultural Disparities in Workforce Representation and Earnings among Canadian Chiropractors
%A Amina E. Diallo
%A Fatou B. Ndiaye
%A Mamadou S. Ba
%J International Journal of Social and Psychological Aspects of Healthcare
%@ 3108-4818
%D 2022
%V 2
%N 1
%R 10.51847/5mnimFjQss
%P 135-145
%X Health systems globally continue to experience workforce shortages that have been intensified by the Covid-19 pandemic. Chiropractors have the potential to contribute meaningfully to addressing the growing demand for rehabilitation services. Nonetheless, evidence from several countries indicates that the chiropractic workforce may not be demographically representative of the populations it serves. This study examines gender and ethnocultural representation, as well as earnings patterns, among chiropractors in Canada as indicators of equity and inclusion within the profession. Using data from the 2021 Canadian population census linked to administrative income tax records, we identified practicing chiropractors aged 25–54 years. Descriptive analyses were conducted to characterize workforce composition, followed by multivariable regression modeling and Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition to evaluate differences in earnings by gender and ethnocultural identity while accounting for relevant professional and sociodemographic factors.

Women and visible minorities were underrepresented in the Canadian chiropractic workforce, comprising 44.5% and 20.0% of practitioners, respectively, compared with 50.6% and 26.5% in the general population. Although educational attainment was comparable across genders, women earned an average of 77.1 cents for every dollar earned by men in 2020, a year heavily affected by the pandemic, representing a modest improvement from 76.7 cents in 2019. Adjusted regression analyses revealed statistically significant earnings disparities associated with both gender and ethnocultural identity. Decomposition results demonstrated a persistent unexplained gender wage gap, with women earning approximately 6% less than men after accounting for differences in age and part-time employment, suggesting the influence of additional unmeasured structural factors. The presence of substantial earnings inequalities by gender and ethnocultural background among Canadian chiropractors highlights the need for targeted equity-focused strategies in leadership representation and remuneration practices. Addressing these disparities may enhance the appeal of the chiropractic profession and support the recruitment of a more diverse future workforce.
%U https://smerpub.com/article/gender-and-ethnocultural-disparities-in-workforce-representation-and-earnings-among-canadian-chiropr-nahm1jabti1dmfa