Hispanics/Latinas
Get more information on Hispanic American/Latina Health:
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Minority Women's Health > Hispanic Americans/Latinas
The health of Hispanic/Latina women varies between subgroups. For example, Mexican American women tend to have lower rates of high blood pressure than both African American and white women. Among all women, Hispanic/Latina women have the highest rates of cervical cancer and the second highest death rates from cervical cancer. Younger generations, who have become more a part of American culture, are more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors such as drinking and smoking, but are also more likely to make use of health care.
The leading causes of death for this group include heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. Diabetes is a major problem for this group. Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans are almost twice as likely as whites to have diabetes. Being overweight or obese puts you at higher risk for diabetes. Among Mexican American women, 73 percent are overweight or obese, as compared to only 61.6 percent of the general female population. According to the CDC, more than half of Mexican American women do not report any leisure exercise.
Among women, Hispanics/Latinas are most likely to be uninsured. About one out of every three Hispanics/Latinas does not have health insurance. This is almost three times the rate for white women. People who are uninsured are less likely to receive routine and preventive care, which results in poorer health overall. Other reasons for the poorer health of Hispanics/Latinas include racism, poverty, cultural differences, lack of knowledge about the importance of screening or testing to prevent health problems, and the inability to get to the doctor.
Related Information:
Current as of December 2007
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