A nurse manager at a public health clinic is working to expand diversity of the clinic's nursing staff. The manager knows that which of the following factors is a barrier to creating a diverse workforce.

A. Distrust of the healthcare system is a significant barrier to recruiting and retaining a diverse nursing workforce. Historical inequities, discrimination, and negative experiences can make minority populations hesitant to pursue nursing careers or join specific healthcare organizations, limiting workforce diversity. Addressing trust and creating inclusive environments is essential to overcoming this barrier. B. In many areas, diverse populations are actually increasing, not decreasing. This factor is not a primary barrier to workforce diversity; the challenge lies more in recruitment, retention, and systemic issues rather than the population itself. C. While this statistic highlights underrepresentation, it is a result of barriers like distrust, limited access to education, and structural inequities, rather than a barrier in itself. D. Low male representation reflects gender disparity, but like C, it is an outcome of existing barriers rather than a barrier to creating a diverse workforce.