Landmark Study: Hispanics Live Longer, But Face More Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Obesity

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Hispanics live longer than other population groups, even though they face higher rates of blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity, according to the largest-ever study of Latino health.

The federal study, called the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), is a multi-city epidemiological study collected information on the health issues, risk factors, and lifestyle habits that impact this population.

The study has followed more than 16,000 Hispanic adults from Chicago, San Diego, Miami and the Bronx since 2008.

Some of its initial national results include:

• 80% of Hispanic men and 71% of women had at least one adverse risk factor for heart disease (i.e., high cholesterol/blood pressure, obesity, diabetes or smoking).
• The percentage with obesity was high among all Hispanic/Latino groups.
• Among younger participants few had diabetes, but among participants ages 65-74 almost half had diabetes.
• About half of the men and women with diabetes had their diabetes under control.
• Men were more likely than women to eat enough fruits and vegetables each day.
• Women, especially those age 45-64, were more likely to report symptoms of depression than men.

“This study is so important because the Hispanic/Latino population is the fastest growing population in the U.S., and we need to know and document their health problems to better serve their health-care needs going forward,” said Dr. Martha Daviglus, director of the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Institute for Minority Health Research and principal investigator for the Chicago portion of the study. “This study is the foundation for those efforts.”

The study is ongoing for another six years.