Abstract
One of four U.S. kids is already overweight or obese by age 2-5, with a higher prevalence among Latino kids (30%) than white kids (21%). How can we promote a healthy weight by kindergarten? Mothers’ physical activity and healthy eating habits before and during pregnancy play a big role. Breastfeeding also has many positive effects on children. Interventions or policies aimed at improving breastfeeding rates, while reducing formula marketing, among Latina mothers may be critical to promoting healthy weight goals. Healthy eating and physical activity habits established during early childhood care settings also is a stepping stone toward lifelong health. Read the Issue Brief in English (PDF)
Read the Issue Brief in Spanish (PDF)
Contents
Introduction & ...
The deadline to sign up for coverage as part of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) open enrollment is rapidly approaching. January 31 is the last day to obtain coverage during this period. Of the 17.6 million Americans who have signed up for coverage through the ACA, 4 million are Latinos. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), there are still nearly 10 million Latinos that are still eligible for coverage through the marketplace. Even though Latinos saw the biggest decrease in uninsured rates, they remain the largest racial and ethnic group with the highest rates of uninsured. “The Latino community still suffers from health disparities like disproportionate rates of asthma, diabetes, and certain cancers,” said HHS Secretary Sylvia Matthews Burwell. ...
This is part of our Healthier Schools & Latino Kids: A Research Review »
Introduction
Obesity is a nationwide problem in the United States, and Latino children and adolescents are especially at risk. Nearly 40 percent of U.S. Latino youths ages 2-19 are overweight or obese, compared to 28.5 percent of non-Latino white youths, according to a recent estimate.1Among children ages 2-5, 29.8 percent of Latino children are overweight or obese; this compares to about 21 percent of non-Latino white children of the same age. The prevalence of obesity among Latino children and adolescents is of great concern given the multiple adverse physical and mental health issues related to obesity, including cardiovascular disease, asthma, type 2 diabetes, liver disease, sleep apnea, and ...
The east side neighborhood of San Antonio (63.2% Latino) struggles with socioeconomic hardships, health disparities, and a lack of access to quality healthcare. In the past few years, the nonprofit Eastside Promise Neighborhood (EPN) has sought ways to improve conditions for residents in the city’s east side. To solve the gap in the availability of healthcare options in the area and fight health disparities, the EPN partnered with a provider, CommuniCare Health Partners, to open a new health clinic in the area.
Latinos in need in San Antonio
San Antonio’s historic east side neighborhood is home to 17,955 residents (mostly Latino), more than 200 private businesses, and six schools on 3.5 square miles bounded by Interstate 37 to the west, Fort Sam Houston to the north, AT&T ...
In large part due to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the number of uninsured Latinos has drastically decreased in the last few years. However, according to the latest data, Latinos still remain the largest racial and ethnic group with the highest rate of uninsured individuals. The ACA is currently in its third open enrollment, which ends at the end of this month on Jan. 31. “The Latino community still suffers from health disparities like disproportionate rates of asthma, diabetes and certain cancers,” Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell said. “But with better access to better checkups, diet counseling and many cancer screenings, we can begin to close these gaps." Agencies and organizations, such as Enroll America, are working to spread ...
This is part of our Food and Latino Kids: A Research Review »
Introduction
While a nationwide concern, obesity is especially prevalent among Latino children. Nearly 40 percent of U.S. Latino youth ages 2-19 are overweight or obese compared with 28.5 percent of non-Latino white youths.1 Obesity is linked to increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma, liver disease, and cancer.2 Given that Latinos are one of the fastest-growing U.S. populations, preventing and reducing obesity among Latinos will have an important impact on our nation’s health. Compared with other racial and ethnic groups, Latino children are more likely to live in poverty,3,4 causing diet quality to suffer and increasing the risk for developing obesity.5 Limited ...
Respiratory illnesses disproportionately affect foreign born Latinos unless they live in “enclave like settings,” according to research published by the American Journal of Public Health, Latin Post reports. Latinos who work in the areas of construction, farming, and factories are at higher risk for respiratory conditions. In the Mexican culture, respiratory illnesses are often treated with herbal medicines, but those are not always effective when treating acute conditions such as asthma. “Limón (lemon), Llantén (plantain or plantago), Canela (cassia cinnamon) are traditional Mexican medicinal herbs that frequently used to treat respiratory infections. However, most causes of acute respiratory infection aren't treatable; therefore prevention and practicing good hygiene ...
Babies who are breastfed have reduced risks of ear and respiratory infections, asthma, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), diabetes, and obesity; therefore, the WHO/UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative established Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding as the global standard for hospital care to support breastfeeding. However, according to the CDC Vital Signs report, many hospitals do not implement the steps. For example, 80% of babies born in the US start out breastfeeding, but, unfortunately, 6 in 10 breastfeeding mothers stop breastfeeding earlier than they intend. Even more Latina mothers stop breastfeeding earlier than they intend. This is due to lack of support from hospitals, the workplace, businesses, and families. In order to reduce Latino childhood obesity, ...
U.S. Latinos care more about the environment than non-Latinos. In fact, Latinos care more about water, air and land conservation, protecting against wildfires and drought, and creating national parks and monuments, says research by the Sierra Club and the Latino Sustainability Institute, according to an article by Boulder Weekly. But why? Jobs, health, recreation, and culture/morality are big reasons, according to the article:
For starters, clean energy and conservation efforts provide jobs for the Latino community in the U.S. At nearly 11 percent unemployment, Latinos see initiatives like the American Jobs Act and renewable energy legislation as opportunities for gainful employment. In fact, three out of four Latinos believe renewable energy can bring immediate jobs to ...
