NCLR: Latinos and Chronic Health Disease

Chronic disease accounts for seven in ten deaths in the United States each year. The management of these conditions, many of which are largely preventable, consumes more than 75% of American expenditures on health care. Due to the Latino community’s specific set of challenges and circumstances,Hispanics are at greater risk of developing diabetes and other chronic health conditions than non-Hispanic Whites.

First, we lack access to affordable, high-quality health care.Two of the biggest risk factors for poor health among Latinos are the lack of access to affordable, high-quality health care and the inconsistent health care intervention in between doctor visits. More than twice as many (33%) Latinos younger than age 65 lack health insurance compared to non-Hispanics (14%). And of those who are receiving health care, they still face many barriers to being able to properly treat and manage their diseases.

Second, there are several social determinants that Latinos face on a daily basis. Research demonstrates that poverty, income and wealth inequality, racism, sex discrimination, and low socioeconomic conditions are risk factors for poor health.

Third, there are inadequate intervention efforts made to our community. Hispanics are less likely than non-Hispanics to be reached by mainstream health education, promotion, and disease prevention messages, which tend to reach middle-class, well-insured, English-speaking people.

Read NCLR’s Chronic Disease Report to learn more about our community’s struggle with this ever-growing health issue and to read our findings and suggestions to help alleviate the problem. 

Best,

Manuela McDonough
Associate Director, IHH

P.S.—Want to help spread the word on this growing issue?  Go to Facebook right now and share our graphic with your friends and family.