A report published by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research determined that health disparities persist for California’s 9.8 million adult Latinos. The rates of obesity, poor health, food insecurity and lack of insurance are higher than the state’s average. The Center used the data from the 2012-2013 California Health Interview Survey. An estimated 2.7 million Latinos are estimated to be food insecure. The data revealed large gaps in the between Latino groups in that nearly 40% of Salvadorans, as an example reported fair or poor health compared to 12.8% of South Americans and 30.8% of Latinos overall. Non-U.S. born Mexican adults and Salvadorans were shown to have the most difficulty in reliably obtaining food. Among Latino groups, South Americans have the lowest ...
A study by Emory University has found that Latinos are more likely to say that doctors are unconcerned about their health and do not see them as equals. The study, entitled “Disaggregating Ethnoracial Disparities in Physician Trust,” found that individuals of a particular race (such as Latinos) tend to have a similar point of view on physician trust. The study also found that this issue of trust had nothing to do with education level, income, or marital status. U.S. Latinos are less likely than whites to trust the interpersonal competence, technical judgment, and obligation to act ethically towards the best interest of the patient of their doctors. “By more closely measuring differences in physicians trust, we find key differences in how people in how people view their ...
New research from Oregon State University (OSU) published in the Journal of Immigration and Minority Health found that discrimination by healthcare providers may be preventing young Latinos from seeking access to health services. The findings show that 40% of participants said they experience discrimination when obtaining healthcare services. It was also shown that discrimination was found to be higher for foreign-born Latinos. “We’ve seen in our work with the communities … this theme around discrimination and fear of deportation and stress playing out in different ways,” said Daniel Lopez-Cevallos, Director of Research with the Center for Latino/a Studies and Engagement at OSU. The study, called The Latino Health Project, was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and ...
More than 55 million people of Latino ethnicity live in the United States, comprising 17 percent of the country’s total population. Latinos make up the nation’s largest ethnic group and it is expected that by 2060, one in three individuals will identify themselves as Latino. According to a report released by the Joint Economic Committee (JEC), Latinos still lag behind the majority White community in many economic indicators. These factors include employment, income, and wealth accumulation. The gaps are largest among non-native Latinos. Some of the data from the report shows that the median Latino worker earns 72% of what non-Latino Whites earn and the median Latino household income is $42,500, nearly $18,000 less than non-Latino Whites. The disparity runs across genders, as ...
November 1 is the first day of the third open enrollment period of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which will allow people nationwide to sign up for healthcare coverage, to renew their current plan, or shop for additional health coverage options on the Health Insurance Marketplace. According to the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS), nearly half of the eligible uninsured are between the ages of 18 –34. Latinos are still more likely to be uninsured than whites. The third enrollment period is an opportunity to not only gain access to quality affordable health care, but also offers a chance to avoid paying a fine when they file their taxes; those who do not enroll by January 31, 2016, could face a fine of $695 or 2.5% of yearly income. The third open enrollment period, ...
According to a report by the Joint Economic Committee (JEC) and Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), the average U.S. Latino worker earns less than white counterparts. Latinos are behind the majority white population on several important economic factors, such as employment and income. Latinos represent 17% of the total U.S. population and are the largest ethnic group in the nation. The report noted that the median income for Latino households is $42,500, nearly $18,000 less than non-Latino whites. Foreign-born Latinos have an even lower median household income with $34,600. “It’s important to know where we are as a Latino community and what we need to do to continue in the right direction,” said CHC Chairwoman Linda Sanchez. “We are making progress in some areas … but in ...
Sitting and being sedentary for too long during the day is a possible risk factor for chronic kidney disease according to a study from the University of Utah School of Medicine. Researchers found that there was a 20 percent increase for the likelihood of chronic kidney disease for lifestyles that consist of increased sedentary behavior. Engaging in activities in a seated or lying position that barely raise the engergy expenditure above resting level is consisdered sedentary behavior, and considered an important risk factor for diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Latino students are more likely to be obese and have diabetes. Latino students that may sit at their desk all day and then spend hours in front of television or computers could be at a increased risk for health issues ...
According to finding recently published in the Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, young Latinos living in rural areas face discrimination when they try to obtain health care services. This could be a contributing factor in disparities in Latino health outcomes.
Nearly 40% of the 349 young, adult Latinos (between the ages of 18-25) living in rural Oregon interviewed said they had experienced discrimination. This discrimination included being prevented access to services, being “hassled,” or being made to feel inferior in some way. Nearly 45% of foreign-born Latinos reported discrimination compared to nearly 32% of U.S.-born Latinos. The researchers’ goal was to better understand the role discrimination, or perceived discrimination, pays in the access Latinos have to ...
A conference was held in October at the Milken Institute of Public Health on the campus of George Washington University in Washington, D.C., to address the high burden of health problems that affect Latinos in the area. Compared to white adults, Latinos suffer higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. “Latino populations are marginalized for many reasons,” said Dr. Mark Edberg, director of the Avance Center, one of the conferences contributors. “They don’t always have good access to healthy food. A single parent may have to work two or three jobs and not have a lot of time to cook.” At the conference, researchers, practitioners, and advocates shared new research and information as well as community perspectives that could be used to help break down ...
