By the year 2000 Hispanics/Latinos numbered about 32.5 million and comprised 11.8% of the population. (1) By 2050, Hispanics/Latinos will represent almost a quarter of the country’s population (98.2 million). Therefore, it is important to study the health concerns of this large segment of the American population.
Comparing the health profile of Hispanic people to that of the general U.S. population reveals numerous disparities. Disproportionate numbers of adult Hispanics suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, and obesity. Children of Mexican descent are at special risk for growth deficiency and related problems.
Therefore, it is not surprising that delays occur when a women has breast cancer. Factors that contribute to a delay in reporting self-discovered breast cancer symptoms among both Latino and black women include :
• Low income In 1998, the median income for Hispanic households was $28,330, considerably lower than the $42,439 median income for their non-Hispanic White counterparts. In the same year, poverty rates among Hispanics were over three times higher compared with non-Hispanic Whites.
• Lack of health insurance Although Hispanics are 12% of the population, they represent 25% of the uninsured. They are three times less likely to have a consistent medical source, relying instead on the emergency room for their health care. While Latinos represent about 12% of the population, they make up 25% of the Nation's uninsured. They are almost three times less likely to have a consistent source of medical care, so they rely more heavily on emergency room treatment. In fact, Latinos are 1.5 times more likely to use the hospital ER as a primary source of care compared with the general population.
• Lower education Education levels, which are associated with economic levels and health status, are also lower among Hispanics than other populations. For example, Hispanics are less likely to have a high school diploma than non-Hispanic Whites. In 1999, approximately 56.1% of Hispanics age 25 and older had finished high school or more, compared to about 87.7% of non-Hispanic White adults.
• Poor breast cancer knowledge
Even though Hispanic women have lower rates of breast cancer, it remains the leading cause of cancer death among Hispanics. This increase in mortality is probably related to the delay in seeking treatment. Only 38% of Hispanic women age 40 and older have regular screening mammograms, a simple procedure that can detect breast cancer at its earliest stage, before clinical symptoms develop.
Decreasing the delay in reporting symptoms could help reduce breast cancer mortality in minority populations. One of the easiest items to prevent is lack of knowledge. Providing brochures and other educational articles in Spanish is a significant step in the correct direction. Having Spanish interpreters available at health care facilities would be another step in the right direction. Also, seeking out and referring the poorest Hispanics to health resources or developing alternative funding sources for these proud and resourceful American citizens, would help narrow the health gap for all Americans.
Finally, Hispanics are known to have close family structures. The close family culture of Mexicans is another plus, in getting these women to take action. Families tend to band together to provide support. By approaching the Hispanics via the family unit, more of an impact in health care may be possible.
Sources
National Institute of Nursing Research
http://ninr.nih.gov/ninr
Inter-Cultural Cancer Council
http://iccnetwork.org/cancerfacts/cfs4.htm
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