Hispanics/Latinos: Health Disparities

Health disparities are believed to be the result of the complex interaction among genetic variations, environmental factors, and specific health behaviors. (US DHHS, 2000).

Report on Unequal Treatment
In 2003, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies issued Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care, which reported that minorities are less likely than whites to receive health services, including clinically necessary procedures, even when controlling for insurance status, patient income, and other access-related factors. Cultural bias can affect clinical decision-making. The authors found evidence that stereotyping, biases, and uncertainty on the part of health care providers can contribute to unequal treatment. (Smedley et al., 2003).

Hispanics/Latinos generally have lower mortality rates but higher morbidity rates compared with the overall US population. As a result, morbidity and chronic disease management are areas of great concern for providers working with the Hispanic/Latino population. (Kaiser Permanente, 2001).[Read more]

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Demographics [PDF, KB]

  • Size and Origin of Population
  • Location
  • Age
  • Family Size
  • Education
  • Income and Economic Status
  • Employment

Health Status [PDF, KB]

  • Leading Causes of Mortality
  • Specific Health Concerns

Traditional Health Beliefs and Practices [PDF, KB]

  • Traditional Illnesses

Risk Factors and Challenges [PDF, KB]

  • Racism
  • Environmental and Occupational Hazards
  • Health Insurance Coverage and Access to Quality Care
  • Language and Communication
  • Obesity
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol Use
  • Physical Activity

Strengths and Protective Factors [PDF, KB]

Diet [PDF, KB]

Adherence Factors [PDF, KB]

  • Decision-Making
  • Communication

Complementary and Alternative Medicine [PDF, KB]

References and Resources [PDF, KB]

Terminology
The term Hispanic did not gain wide use until the 1970s and 1980s. In earlier decades, Hispanics tended to organize around their own national or regional identities as Mexicans, Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans, Central Americans, and South Americans. By the early 1970s, new organizations formed that coalesced the numerous Hispanic subgroups into a more unified voice around a variety of social, civil, and political causes. Today, the term Hispanic has become a cloak that covers all Spanish-speaking ethnic subgroups. Hispanics in the US can be of any racial background-white, black, Asian, or American Indian, for example. (National Alliance for Hispanic Health, 2000).

Hispanics/Latinos living in the US are almost twice as likely to die from diabetes as are non-Hispanic whites. Hispanics account for a disproportionate percentage of new cases of tuberculosis. They also have higher rates of high blood pressure and obesity than do non-Hispanic whites. There are differences among Hispanic populations as well. For example, whereas the rate of low-birth-weight infants is lower for the total Hispanic/Latino population than for whites, the rate for Puerto Ricans is 50% higher than the rate for whites. (US DHHS, 2000).

This section of the Provider's Guide provides information on traditional health practices and beliefs as well as the health status of different Hispanic/Latino subgroups: Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Central and South Americans, and Cuban Americans.