This section is designed to help health care professionals better understand, and more effectively respond to the growing needs of over 30 million Hispanics in the United States. We hope that this information will help to facilitate greater access to, and utilization of, health and human services for this patient population, improve one-to-one provider-patient interactions, and improve provider relations with Hispanic communities.

The information in this section was adapted from Quality Health Services for Hispanics: The Cultural Competency Component.
This section includes:

• Getting to Know Hispanic/Latino Culture
• Strengths and Protective Factors in Hispanic/Latino Families and Communities
• Challenges to Health and Well-Being of Hispanic/Latino Communities
• Principles for Culturally Competent Health Services for Hispanic/Latino Families and Communities
• References
• Links

More information about Hispanics/Latinos can be found in other parts of the Provider’s Guide:

• Electronic Information Sheets on Health Disparities
• Understanding Immigrant, Refugee & Minority Populations
• Common Health Problems in Selected Minority, Ethnic, & Cultural Groups
• Common Beliefs and Cultural Practices
• Book Excerpt - The Prevention of Alcohol-Related Problems among United States Hispanics: A Review

For more information about Hispanics/Latinos, Section II of "Quality Care for Hispanics: The Cultural Competency Component "contains an excellent description of the diverse cultures that comprise the term Hispanic plus a comprehensive summary of current Hispanic health status. Copies of this book are available by calling 1-888-ASK-HRSA or by visiting their web site at www.ask.hrsa.gov.