Philadelphia Inquirer Examines Health Barriers Faced by Hispanics

The Philadelphia Inquirer on Sept. 2 reported on health disparities faced by Hispanic children, who experience more health risk factors, higher death rates and greater under-use of health services than other racial groups. More than any other group, Hispanic boys are overweight and nearly 11% of Puerto Rican children have asthma, double that of blacks and quadruple the rate of whites, according to a study published last month in the Journal of the American Medical Association. More health disparities may exist, according to the study, but because Hispanics are "so rarely" included in medical research, the disparities "may not even be known." Widespread health problems among Hispanics can be attributed to the group's relatively high levels of poverty, difficulty speaking English and decreased likelihood of having health insurance, as well as a lack of education and transportation, the Inquirer reports. In addition, differences between U.S. and Central and South American health systems act as a barrier to care for Hispanics. Robert Valdez, a researcher on for the JAMA study, said, "The public health centers do a good job, but what we need is to promote healthy behavior among Latino families. You can't wait for them to come, you have to go where they are" (Walker, Philadelphia Inquirer, 9/2).