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Updated: October 20, 2005

Recommended Reading List - Latino/a

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Cultural Factors in Preventive Care: Latinos

Diaz, V. A. 

Prim Care Clin Office Pract, 29, 503-517

Latino/a

2002 

For many, the term "Hispanic" places undue emphasis on the European influence of Spanish colonialism and may even have negative connotations for some. "Latino" is a more encompassing term that gives recognition to the influences of the indigenous and African cultures on modern day Latin Americans. Nevertheless, recognition of typical Latino attitudes and beliefs may assist health care providers. Poverty, unemployment, and low level of education usually account for adverse health in this population. Anti-immigrant sentiment and discrimination in health care and education add adversity to the immigrant's experience. Lack of health insurance and access to quality health care typically plague the adult immigrant. For many, the nearest emergency department is their only source of medical care. 

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The Demographic, Economic, and Health Profile of Older Latinos: Implications for health and long-term care policy and the Latino family 

Villa, V. M. 
Aranda, M. P.

J Health Hum Serv Adm, 23(2), 161-80.

Latino/a 

2000 
Fall

The number of older Latinos is increasing rapidly and many of its members are in poor health, economically disadvantaged, and reliant on publicly-funded programs that are at risk of continuing cutbacks and restructuring. Such changes limit this population's access to health and long-term care services and shift an increasing amount of responsibility to the Latino family. This article reviews the demographic, economic, and health data of the Latino population and also discusses current and proposed changes under Medicare and Medicaid and the potential impact of these revisions on the Latino population. The authors argue that the needs of younger and older Latinos are linked and any program and policy to improve the situation of the elderly must confront the vulnerabilities of all family members. 

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Hypertension and Renal Disease in Puerto Ricans

Cangiano, J. L.

Am J Med Sci., 318(6), 369-73.

Latino/a

1999 
Dec

Hypertension and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) constitute a major health threat to Puerto Ricans in the United States and in the Commonwealth. In the Hispanic population of the United States, Puerto Ricans seem to have a worse health status than Mexican- and Cuban Americans. Poverty, language, and lack of education increase the risk of less-than-adequate diagnosis and treatment of hypertension. In the Commonwealth, hypertension is a common problem. Deaths caused by heart disease continue to increase on the island. Although the health care system in Puerto Rico continues to improve, changes in diet, increased social stress, and the high prevalence of diabetes mellitus and obesity may add to the increased death rate from cardiovascular causes. The incidence and prevalence of ESRD in Puerto Rico is as high as in the United States; however, diabetes mellitus seems to be the primary diagnosis in a larger number of patients with ESRD than in the U.S. Preventive and control measures must be urgently taken by public health officials to minimize the impact of these disorders in the health of Puerto Ricans.

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Migrant Populations and the Incidence of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: An overview of the literature with a focus on the Spanish-heritage countries in Latin America

Serrano-Rios, M.
Goday, A.
Martinez, L. T.

Diabetes Metab Res Rev., 15(2), 113-32.

Latino/a

1999
Mar-Apr

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a 'chronic' autoimmune disorder leading to the destruction of the pancreatic beta cell. The natural history of diabetes includes a long subclinical (prediabetes) period. The pathogenesis is multifactorial and characterized by the interaction of environmental factors, with predisposing genes, most of which are associated with the HLA DR DQ loci. The relatively recent development of worldwide incidence registries for Type 1 DM has allowed us to compare the epidemiological results obtained in most parts of the world. This approach is particularly valuable in analysing the effects of migration of populations from one area of the world where the incidence of Type 1 DM is different (usually lower) to a new geographic setting. Properly designed migrant studies may be valuable in uncovering whether the genetic background remains more important than the new 'exposure' as illustrated by the Sardinian migration to Lazio and Lombardy. The presence of some putative 'protective' environmental exposures or the absence of those prevalent in the country of origin may explain the usually lower Type 1 DM incidence observed in most countries (Chile, Peru, Mexico) sharing a 'Spanish caucasoid genetic pool', and even in relatively genetically homogeneous groups such as Japanese populations migrating to Hawaii. In fact, the disease is caused by both genetic and environmental factors and to convince the scientific community of this fact is a primary responsibility for epidemiologists.