Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, and lower respiratory diseases collectively remain the leading cause of death among populations living in the United States. As Utah health indicator data suggests, Hispanics are not immune from chronic disease conditions and suffer in disproportionate numbers. The Hispanic population in Utah represents the largest racial/ethnic group in the State. A total of 268,234 Hispanics reside in Utah, which accounts for11% of total population. Of the 443,738 individuals living in Utah County, 37,420 or 8% are of hispanic origin.Based on the health indicators for the State of Utah, Hispanics experience health disparities in several important chronic disease risk factors. These risk factors include lack of health insurance, lack of medical home, lack of early prenatal care, lack of colorectal and prostate cancer screening, obesity, lack of vegetable consumption, and lack of physical activity. More specifically, from 1999 to 2004, 64% of Hispanic adults were found to be overweight or obese, a percentage significantly higher than the overall State average of 55.6%.3 Similarly, the percentage of Hispanic adults with no physical activity (28.0%) was significantly higher than the State average.
3 comments:
we know that poverty and low socioeconomic status affect health negatively. in order to reverse this trend, i think it is important for families and other groups to speak out about their problems, and push for solutions. unfortunately, the problems may never get addressed if the victims of discrimination don't speak up.
I recently watched a video from the unnatural causes series from PBS. It talked about how Hispanic immigrants have great, resilient health due to strong family ties. However, the longer immigrants remain in the US, the more American they become. Their diets are transformed and their family ties are weakened because parents have to work low paying jobs for long hours. I wish Americans would adopt the immigrant lifestyle rather than the other way around.
Its so sad that these numbers are so high. I'm sure in mexico the overall chronic diseases arn't as bad but as soon as they come here and americanize their diet they become just like us. It is ashame that our culture has such negative health effects on other races in this country.
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