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Reducing health disparities among older Hispanic Americans is the focus of a new collaboration between the Food and Drug Administration and the Administration on Aging (AoA), two agencies within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
"This new effort represents another step toward our goal of closing the health gap affecting racial and ethnic minorities," says HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. "By focusing the efforts and resources of these two important agencies, we will strengthen our efforts to reach older Hispanic Americans with health messages that can help them stay healthier and live longer."
As part of the effort, the FDA and the AoA will identify issues that affect the health of older Hispanic Americans and will develop culturally sensitive messages for them. The agencies will also cultivate and expand partnerships with national Hispanic organizations, electronic and print media, and other private organizations to support education and outreach to Hispanic communities.
"We are committed to helping protect and advance the health of all Americans," says FDA Commissioner Mark B. McClellan, M.D., Ph.D. "Older Hispanic Americans and their families need to have the best health information available and in a language and format they can best understand and use."
The agencies will work with community partners to develop educational materials and caregiver tool kits on the safe use of medicines, nutrition and healthy eating, drug interactions, reporting side effects, antibiotic overuse, dietary supplements, and health fraud.
To kick off this effort, the agencies hosted a panel on reducing health disparities at a National Hispanic Leadership Roundtable in Washington, D.C., in October 2003. The roundtable was the first of several forums planned by the FDA and the AoA. The two agencies will continue to meet with Hispanic leaders to discuss areas of concern affecting senior Hispanics in America and to share perspectives on approaches for reaching this audience.
"Working together with Hispanic leaders, we hope that we'll be able to increase the quality and years of healthy life and eliminate health disparities faced by older Hispanics," says Assistant Secretary for Aging Josefina G. Carbonell.
The older Hispanic population is at high risk for chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, HIV infection, stroke, pneumonia, diabetes and influenza. "Many of these conditions are preventable," Carbonell said at the roundtable. "For example, we know that immunizations effectively prevent influenza." In 2003, almost one-third of Hispanic seniors did not receive a flu shot. "We need to work on these issues," said Carbonell.
The Hispanic population over age 65 was 2 million in 2002 and is projected to grow to more than 13 million by 2050. Hispanics made up 5.5 percent of the entire older U.S. population in 2002; by 2050, Hispanics are expected to account for 16 percent of the older U.S. population.
Part of the FDA's mission is to help the public get the accurate, science-based information it needs to use medicines and foods to improve health.
The AoA's mission is to promote the dignity and independence of older people, and to help society prepare for an aging population.
Food and Drug Administration
www.fda.gov
Administration on Aging
www.aoa.gov