Being one of the fastest growing ethnic/racial groups today, Hispanics contribute largely to the demographic trends affecting the United States. According to the U.S. census bureau, as of 2013 there are 54 million Hispanics residing in the United States, which is 17% of the total population(“Minority Health”). This makes the Hispanic community the largest ethnic minority in the United States. It is also estimated that by 2060, Hispanics will constitute 31% of the total population. This essay will try to exhibit the current health status of Hispanics, acknowledge the health disparities related to this ethnic minority and provide different ways of health promotion among Hispanic community.
Health Status
Although Hispanics most commonly have a similar background they are a very diversified ethnic group with several nationalities, cultures and races. The Hispanics are most commonly immigrants from Mexico, Cuba and Puerto Rico. Additionally, in recent times there has been a lot of Hispanics coming from countries like Salvador, Guatemala and Colombia making the group more diversified. Also, the generational status adds to the difference in their health status. For instance, the Hispanics …show more content…
Among these diseases, diabetes is the most prevalent condition among Hispanics. In 2000 the age-adjusted rate of death from diabetes for Hispanics was 36.9 per 100,000, compared to the non-Hispanic whites (National Centre for health Statistics,2003). The epidemic of overweight and obesity has affected all the ethnic groups in the United States but Hispanics are the most affected by it. The rise of obesity in the Hispanic youth points towards the possibility of the deterioration of health of the Hispanic community in the