Current Health Care Problems and Disparities
"The Department of Health and Human Services has reported that Hispanics make up the largest group in the US without any health insurance” (Galarraga, 2007). Traditionally, neither preventative care nor health promotion has been practiced in the Hispanic culture. Hispanics who follow traditional beliefs are more likely to be affected by certain health care problems, such as diabetes and obesity. Low socioeconomic status, limited education and lack of access to healthcare contribute to the increased incidence of health care problems (Kemp, 2005). In addition, the low availability of minority physicians as well as healthcare provider biases contribute to these disparities (Galarraga, 2007). Factors that lead to limited access to care include limited or no health insurance coverage, limited knowledge of health care services available, limited income, and language barriers. These factors contribute to lifestyle behaviors leading to an increased incidence in morbidity and mortality. Hispanics have the highest morbidity rates in heart disease, cancer, stroke, liver disease, pneumonia/influenza, diabetes, HIV, and perinatal conditions (Kemp, 2005).
Major Health Problems - Latinos/Hispanic Cultures
"The Department of Health and Human Services has reported that Hispanics make up the largest group in the US without any health insurance” (Galarraga, 2007). Traditionally, neither preventative care nor health promotion has been practiced in the Hispanic culture. Hispanics who follow traditional beliefs are more likely to be affected by certain health care problems, such as diabetes and obesity. Low socioeconomic status, limited education and lack of access to healthcare contribute to the increased incidence of health care problems (Kemp, 2005). In addition, the low availability of minority physicians as well as healthcare provider biases contribute to these disparities (Galarraga, 2007). Factors that lead to limited access to care include limited or no health insurance coverage, limited knowledge of health care services available, limited income, and language barriers. These factors contribute to lifestyle behaviors leading to an increased incidence in morbidity and mortality. Hispanics have the highest morbidity rates in heart disease, cancer, stroke, liver disease, pneumonia/influenza, diabetes, HIV, and perinatal conditions (Kemp, 2005).
Major Health Problems - Latinos/Hispanic Cultures
According to Heron (2013), the leading cause of death in 2010 for the Hispanic population in the United States are as follows in order of significance:
- Cancer - leading cause of death in Hispanic population
- Heart Disease
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Cirrhosis/chronic liver disease
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Kidney Disease
How are problems being reduced or handled in today’s medical community?
The Census Bureau released statistics in June 2013 stating Hispanics are predicted to become the majority in America by 2043. Hispanics have been some of the biggest supporters of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). The goal of PPACA is to expand health care coverage and accessibility by making it more affordable, improve the quality of health insurance, and to reduce the growth in health care spending in the U.S. (Assistant Secretary, 2014). The Affordable Care Act expands the affordability, quality, and availability of private and public health insurance through consumer protections, regulations, taxes, insurance exchanges, and other reforms (Office of Press Secretary, 2012).
Cultural competency is being implemented across the healthcare field. Education and training is being provided to all members of the healthcare team in order to reduce biases, perceptions, and assumptions made in regards to an individual’s cultural background (Galarraga, 2007).
The following quote is from director of the CDC, Thomas R. Frieden regarding the issues that the Hispanic community faces. "These problems must be addressed with the intervention strategies related to both health and social programs, and more broadly access to economic, educational, employment and housing opportunities" (Gillette, 2012, para 6).
There are inconsistencies when it comes to health issues relating to Hispanics. The following statistics compare Hispanic health issues with that of the white non-Hispanic population.
In 2010, 10.4% of all Hispanics in the U.S. were diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. This number is expected to increase by 107% by 2020. Hispanics have a greater risk of complications from diabetes because of lack of preventative care and screenings. These complications, specifically renal failure have led to higher death rates than that of white, non-Hispanics.
The Census Bureau released statistics in June 2013 stating Hispanics are predicted to become the majority in America by 2043. Hispanics have been some of the biggest supporters of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). The goal of PPACA is to expand health care coverage and accessibility by making it more affordable, improve the quality of health insurance, and to reduce the growth in health care spending in the U.S. (Assistant Secretary, 2014). The Affordable Care Act expands the affordability, quality, and availability of private and public health insurance through consumer protections, regulations, taxes, insurance exchanges, and other reforms (Office of Press Secretary, 2012).
Cultural competency is being implemented across the healthcare field. Education and training is being provided to all members of the healthcare team in order to reduce biases, perceptions, and assumptions made in regards to an individual’s cultural background (Galarraga, 2007).
The following quote is from director of the CDC, Thomas R. Frieden regarding the issues that the Hispanic community faces. "These problems must be addressed with the intervention strategies related to both health and social programs, and more broadly access to economic, educational, employment and housing opportunities" (Gillette, 2012, para 6).
There are inconsistencies when it comes to health issues relating to Hispanics. The following statistics compare Hispanic health issues with that of the white non-Hispanic population.
- Hispanics are more than 2x likely to have late or no prenatal care
- Hispanic women have the highest rate of cervical cancer at 1.6x that of white women - this statistic is thought to be caused from lack of "access or knowledge" of prenatal care (Cadenas & Kerby, 2012)
- Deaths related to HIV/AIDS is more than 2.5x the normal rate for Hispanic males
- Hispanics have the lowest vaccination rates with only 40% of Hispanics over the age of 18 receiving a flu shot - the percentage for whites is 52%
- 29% of the total cases of Tuberculosis are Hispanic
- Hispanics have a higher rate of going without health insurance
- Teen pregnancies are 3x higher for Hispanic females
- Hispanic women are 20% more likely to die of breast cancer
- 2 in 5 Hispanic children are considered obese
In 2010, 10.4% of all Hispanics in the U.S. were diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. This number is expected to increase by 107% by 2020. Hispanics have a greater risk of complications from diabetes because of lack of preventative care and screenings. These complications, specifically renal failure have led to higher death rates than that of white, non-Hispanics.
References:
Assistant Secretary/Public Affairs-Digital Communications Division. (2014, November 5). The affordable care act and Latinos. Retrieved fromhttp://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/facts/factsheets/2012/04/aca-and-latinos04102012a.html
Cardenas, V., & Kerby, S. (2012, August 8). The State of Latinos in the United States. Retrieved from https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/race/report/2012/08/08/11984/the-state-of-latinos-in-the-united-states/
Galagarra, J. (2007). Hispanic-American culture and health. Retrieved from http://www.cwru.edu/med/epidbio/mphp439/Hispanic_Healthcare.pdf
Gillette, H. (2012, September 4). A list of top health disparities affecting Hispanics in the U.S. Retrieved from http://voxxi.com/2012/09/04/health-disparities-hispanics/
Heron, M. (2013). Deaths: Leading causes for 2010. National Vital Statistics Reports, 62(6), pp. 1-97. Retreived from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr62/nvsr62_06.pdf
Kemp, C. (2005). Folk remedies everyone should know. Retrieved from https://bearspace.baylor.edu/Charles_Kemp/www/hispanic_health.htm
Office of the Press Secretary. (2012, June 28). Affordable care act facts. Retrieved from http://obamacarefacts.com/affordable-care-act-facts/
Ramar, C., & Desai, G. (2010). Hispanic americans face diabetes challenges and complications. Retrieved from http://www.cecity.com/aoa/healthwatch/aug_10/print5.pdf
Assistant Secretary/Public Affairs-Digital Communications Division. (2014, November 5). The affordable care act and Latinos. Retrieved fromhttp://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/facts/factsheets/2012/04/aca-and-latinos04102012a.html
Cardenas, V., & Kerby, S. (2012, August 8). The State of Latinos in the United States. Retrieved from https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/race/report/2012/08/08/11984/the-state-of-latinos-in-the-united-states/
Galagarra, J. (2007). Hispanic-American culture and health. Retrieved from http://www.cwru.edu/med/epidbio/mphp439/Hispanic_Healthcare.pdf
Gillette, H. (2012, September 4). A list of top health disparities affecting Hispanics in the U.S. Retrieved from http://voxxi.com/2012/09/04/health-disparities-hispanics/
Heron, M. (2013). Deaths: Leading causes for 2010. National Vital Statistics Reports, 62(6), pp. 1-97. Retreived from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr62/nvsr62_06.pdf
Kemp, C. (2005). Folk remedies everyone should know. Retrieved from https://bearspace.baylor.edu/Charles_Kemp/www/hispanic_health.htm
Office of the Press Secretary. (2012, June 28). Affordable care act facts. Retrieved from http://obamacarefacts.com/affordable-care-act-facts/
Ramar, C., & Desai, G. (2010). Hispanic americans face diabetes challenges and complications. Retrieved from http://www.cecity.com/aoa/healthwatch/aug_10/print5.pdf