Caring for the Health of Latino Patients

According the U.S. Census Bureau, Latinos are the fastest growing minority population in the U. S. Already approaching 17%, it is projected that by the year 2050, the figure will be 24% with Latinos comprising the largest minority group in 20 of the 50 states. Another interesting statistic is that this population is young in comparison to the general U.S. population, which means more child-bearing age groups. The rising population numbers are indicative of increasing health issues across the board. This means that the health care industry should be prepared to address a population with unique cultural factors and various degrees of biculturalism.

Some illnesses are more prevalent in the Latino population. For example, there are higher rates of diabetes, tuberculosis, hypertension, HIV/AIDS, alcoholism and cirrhosis. For a variety of reasons, many Hispanic patients may delay medical care until their condition worsens and necessitates immediate attention. Some factors that delay or prevent health care include poverty, lack of health insurance and limited access to health care. Along with serious illness, crisis and emotional stress, the complexity of navigating the medical system becomes even more complicated.

The language barrier is another cultural factor that prevents Latino patients from experiencing effective communication with their health care provider. Medical terminology is not always easily understood by mainstream and even less so for Spanish-speakers. Health care professionals who speak Spanish are few in number even though a total of 35 million speak Spanish at home. Cultural factors may also be correlated to delay or lack of doctor visits such as a belief system that some health issues are natural and therefore, do not necessitate medical attention. For example, folk medicine and traditional healers are common practices in some Latino sub-cultures. The culture is broad and unique posing many challenges. Health care providers need to be careful not to allow any characterizations of values, customs or beliefs dominate the way they deliver health care services to such a diverse group. It is noteworthy for health care professionals to keep in mind that each person is unique.

Maria Ugarte-Ramos