Fewer Hispanic Infants Classified as Low Birthweight, Study Finds

Hispanic infants are more likely to be healthier than other infants, according a new book, the San Antonio Express-News/Washington Times reports. The book, "Latinos: Remaking America," includes results from 21 studies on the politics, culture, language and health of Hispanics in the United States. One of the most "surprising findings" comes from a Harvard University-sponsored study that indicates fewer Hispanic infants are classified as low-birthweight than other minority and white infants. Only 6.28% of Hispanic infants were born with low birthweights, compared with 6.34% of white infants, 7.07% of Asians and 13.01% of blacks, the Express-News/Times. The Express-News/Times does not include any further information on the parameters of the study. The book also indicates that Hispanics experience health problems at greater levels than other groups. For instance, obesity and diabetes remain at epidemic levels among Hispanics. Further, infant mortality among Hispanics is higher than that of other groups. "Culture seems to have a protective effect on health," Adolph Falcon, vice president of science and policy at the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, said of the studies, adding, "Now we need to find out whether it's because of diet, lifestyle, family, faith or community. Or some combination of all these" (Marini, San Antonio Express-News/Washington Times, 6/7).