Latino Health Network

San Diego State University & University of California at San Diego: San Diego Prevention Research Center

Topics:
Community Health

People of Hispanic origin constitute 13 percent of the U.S. population. Language and cultural barriers, lack of access to preventive care, and lack of health insurance contribute to disproportionately high prevalence of asthma, obesity, diabetes, some cancers, and other chronic diseases and health risks for this population.

In 2004, the San Diego Prevention Research Center (SDPRC) invited other Prevention Research Centers (PRCs) interested in research, service, and practice in the Latino community, to form a Latino Health Network (LHN). The network brings together researchers and members of Latino communities to address the health disparities in the U.S. Latino population.

The LHN comprises leaders from nonprofit organizations as well as directors and researchers from PRCs at several universities: San Diego State University and the University of California at San Diego, Johns Hopkins University, State University of New York at Albany, Texas A&M University, University of California at Los Angeles, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Washington at Seattle, and other PRC investigators interested in Latino-related research.

The LHN has two main objectives: to serve as a resource for organizations promoting physical activity and general well-being in the Latino community and to offer guidance on culturally appropriate recommendations for physical activity measures and interventions for Latino communities. The network's Web site* offers links to reports and tools developed to measure physical activity among Latinos. Plans are under way to add the names of foundations that fund projects in Latino communities and to list resources, such as manuals and fact sheets, that promote healthy habits.

Additional activities proposed for the LHN include analyzing Latino communities' prevalence of cervical cancer, stress, depression, and substance abuse, and exploring the delivery of culturally competent health care.

Unlike the other PRC networks, the LHN is not funded as a special interest project; the network is seeking funding for its activities.

 

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