Latinos currently make up 19.5% of the US population. Yet only 7% of physicians are Latino, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). What’s more, only 2% of the 7% are Latina, according to the publication Latina Women in the U.S. Physician Workforce: Opportunities in the Pursuit of Health Equity. Latino representation is vital to achieve health equity for all patients, including Latinos. This glaring disparity can increase instances of racial and ethnic bias, delay preventative care, influence what kind of treatment someone receives, and cause a stronger mistrust of the healthcare system – all of which can disastrously impact Latino health. During Hispanic Heritage Month we are honoring Latino physicians on National Latino Physician ...
When you look up at the movie screen, what do you see? Do you see someone who looks like you? Do you see someone you can relate to? Do you hear someone who speaks like you do? Everyone deserves to be represented as the hero of the story, but for decades Latinos and Latino stories have been often left out by Hollywood. However, some stories have come along to break the mold and rewrite what it means to be a Latino in the film industry. Pioneers have given Latino movie creators and artists pathways to come up with stories that celebrate and honor the diversity of Latino culture. These stories offer a deeper insight into the Latino experience and the challenges many must overcome to reach their dreams. From animated box office hits that uplift to biopics that ...
Illicit drug use continues to be a pervasive problem in the US. Use of illicit drugs can have disastrous health consequences, especially for disadvantaged populations like Latinos, and can lead to premature death. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released its annual report on the state of mental health and substance use in the US. Based on results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States covers mental health and substance use, including tobacco, illicit drugs, and more. So far, we have covered alcohol, tobacco and vaping, and marijuana use among Latinos. In the next part of our series, we’re going to explore the report and find out how using illicit ...
Latinos have endured generations of systemic inequities due to racism and discrimination. Over the years, institutions, structures, and policies have given rise to gaps in housing, income, education, and more, which lead to higher risk for diseases like cancer. Even though these disparities persist, policymakers are pushing for change. On July 17, 2024, the Biden White House announced several new policies to expand opportunities for Latino communities, including increasing access to higher education. Let’s investigate some of these policies and how they endeavor to help Latinos.
Increasing Educational and Economic Gains Through Hispanic-Serving Institutions
More than 500 Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) that span across 27 states, the District of Columbia, ...
Latinos make up 19.5% of the US population, which equates to 65 million people. As of 2023, about 75% of Latinos living in the US speak Spanish, 17% speak English, and over half (54%) of the Latino population in the US fall somewhere on the bilingual spectrum. Despite Spanish being the second-most spoken language in the US, a new report by the Pew Research Center found that found that 54% Latino adults get their news in English. Let’s explore the news media habits of US Latinos further.
Latino News Consumption by Language
While 54% of US adult Latinos receive news in English, the rest consume news in mostly Spanish (21%) or in both languages (23%), according to the report. When it comes to preferability, 51% of Latino adults prefer news in English, 24% ...
Latinos continue to be one of the fastest growing populations in the US. Between 2022 and 2023, Latinos accounted for 71% of the population growth in the US, according to new data from the US Census Bureau. Latinos now make up 19.5% of the country’s population. The rise, occurring at an annual growth of 1.8% and attributed to a large number of births, makes Latinos the second largest racial/ethnic group in the US. Let’s unpack some of the statistics and what they mean for the future of Latinos.
US Latino Population Growth
In 2023, the Latino population grew by 1.16 million for a total of 65 million. Latinos contributed significantly to the overall population growth in the US, which increased by 1.64 million. “The Hispanic population is ...
327 people in the US are shot every day — 117 don’t survive, according to statistics provided by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Incidents of gun violence have been on the rise over the last decade, impacting the lives of 54% of US adults and their families. With spike in gun-related deaths, including suicides, homicides, and accidental deaths, gun violence has now become the leading cause of death among children and adolescents. In the wake of mass shootings, gun-related suicides, and the mounting fear over gun violence, United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy declared gun violence in the US a public health crisis on June 25, 2024. “Firearm violence is an urgent public health crisis that has led to loss of life, unimaginable pain, and ...
When the world shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, jobs went virtual and educational institutions switched to online learning. Many people struggled to financially to pay for Internet to meet these demands. In response to the need for affordable internet access, the government established the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB Program) to temporarily help low-income households pay for broadband service through reimbursement and discounts. For a long-term solution to the internet service affordability problem, Congress created the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to replace the EBB Program in late 2021. Funding for the program ended at the beginning of 2024, and the program provided its final month of assistance in April 2024, leaving thousands of ...
As of 2023, there are 169 million women and 166 million men living in the US.
While men and women share many of the same health risks and concerns, women have their own unique challenges, such as reproductive cancers and maternal health, and are more prone to certain diseases and adverse health conditions.
Women, especially women from racial/ethnic and underserved populations, including Latinas, are exposed to barriers to healthcare resulting in worse health outcomes.
Let’s explore six disparities impacting women’s health in the US.
1. Cancer Screenings
Several cancers affect women more than men, or specifically impact women, such as cervical and ovarian cancers.
This makes cancer screening so important for women. However, women, especially women of color, face a lot of ...
