Hispanics are becoming the largest minority group in the United States. The Latino population comprises about 16% of the United States population and is expanding at a rapid rate. Hence, Hispanics will account for 30 percent of the U.S. population by 2050. (Edelman, Mandle & Kudzma, 2013). Thus, it is essential to ensure that the health status of this population is adequate.
Hispanics are becoming the largest minority group in the United States. The Latino population comprises about 16% of the United States population and is expanding at a rapid rate. Hence, Hispanics will account for 30 percent of the U.S. population by 2050. (Edelman, Mandle & Kudzma, 2013). Thus, it is essential to ensure that the health status of this population is adequate.
Hispanics are disproportionately susceptible to significant health problems such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV (Health, United States, 2016). While prevention is a priority for the U.S. healthcare system, the prevention measures implemented must be effective with this group. It is vital to ensure that preventative measures fit the community’s requirements and cultural nuances.
Health Disparities and Health Status
Before focusing on prevention, it is essential to identify the population’s needs and views on health promotion. As mentioned above, the Hispanic population is prone to obesity, especially among teenagers, as almost 23% of Latino adolescents are obese (Health, United States, 2016). The rate of white teenagers diagnosed with obesity is 19.2%. Sutton and Parks (2013) claim that there is an epidemic of HIV among the Hispanic population in the USA.
Sexually transmitted infections are also prevalent. There are other issues, such as various infections like influenza, that have a negative impact on people’s overall well-being. At the same time, the proportion of Hispanics without insurance is alarming (around 35%). (Health, United States, 2016). Only slightly more than 10% of white Americans are uninsured (Health, United States, 2016).
Furthermore, healthcare professionals frequently fail to promote healthy lifestyles among Hispanic Americans (Arellano-Morales, Wood & Elder, 2013). One of the reasons for the Hispanic population’s poor health is a lack of access to high-quality healthcare services. Furthermore, Hispanics frequently face linguistic challenges because their English is insufficient for proper communication with healthcare professionals. Many Hispanics lack legal status and thus cannot access healthcare services. Furthermore, these people are afraid of approaching healthcare facilities for fear of being detained and deported back to their home country.
Views on Health Promotion
The low rate of insured Hispanics is due to the socioeconomic status of this population. However, cultural differences influence how Hispanic Americans interact with healthcare professionals. For example, these people are deeply religious and have solid family ties. As a result, older relatives are prioritized when a person becomes ill. Illness is regarded as a sign of imbalance or as the result of sinful behavior (Edelman et al., 2013).
At the same time, Edelman et al. (2013) define health promotion as living a good life while balancing pleasures and abstinence. It is worth noting that a healthy appetite is regarded as a sign of good health, and parents frequently encourage their children to eat more, which leads to obesity. It is also necessary to mention that the Latino population’s firm reliance on religion leads to a lack of awareness about healthy sex behaviors (Sutton & Parks, 2013). Furthermore, regular check-ups are considered unethical, resulting in a high rate of sexually transmitted infections among the Hispanic population.
Implementation of a Prevention Strategy
A primary prevention strategy will benefit the Hispanic population the most because significant health issues are mostly preventable. This strategy will cover several areas: education, health care, and community outreach. A comprehensive educational program should be implemented to address this population’s healthcare issues. Begin, it is essential to note that religion will serve as the foundation of this strategy, as the majority of Hispanics are deeply religious (Sutton & Parks, 2013).
Specific training on a healthy lifestyle will be incorporated into the educational system. The emphasis for primary and middle school should emphasize dietary habits such as sports, while adolescents should learn more about healthy sexual behavior. These training sessions should be based on Catholic beliefs because most Hispanics practice this religion.
Healthcare facilities should also implement specific training for healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, who will explain the benefits of healthy behavior to Hispanic patients. Spanish lessons for nurses are also available. At that point, healthcare professionals should promote healthy lifestyles and ensure that their instructions are consistent with the beliefs of their patients. Training courses for patients, caregivers, and community members can also be launched.
Finally, Hispanics have strong ties to their communities. This should be used to promote health. The church can play an essential role in health education. The media will play a role. Various charities and government organizations should launch community-based health promotion campaigns.
Conclusion
Overall, it is possible to conclude that Hispanic Americans remain disadvantaged with limited access to healthcare services. Because significant health issues are linked to a healthy lifestyle, educational prevention strategies are effective. Prevention campaigns should be developed on Hispanic beliefs.
References
Arellano-Morales, L., Wood, C., & Elder, J. (2013). Acculturation among Latino primary caregivers and physician communication: Receipt of advice regarding healthy lifestyle behaviors. Journal of Community Health, 38(1), 113-119.
Edelman, C.L., Mandle, C.L., & Kudzma, E.C. (2013). Health promotion throughout the life span. Saint Louis, MO: Elsevier Health Sciences.
