Health Promotion Among Diverse Populations
Shannon Tumblin
Grand Canyon University
Family-Centered Health Promotion
NRS-429V
Denice Gibson
February 22, 2015

Health Promotion Among Diverse Populations A person’s culture often delineates an individual or a group of individuals that have shared values, religious preferences, languages and lifestyles. Culture is typically passed from one generation to the next while lifestyle choices and tradition are picked up along the way. These choices have a great impact on the ability to live a healthy life. While there are many ethnic groups residing in the United States today, Hispanics have this highest number of residents with a sixty percent increase from 1990 to 2000. The United States is expected to populate up to 97 million Hispanics by the year 2050 which will account for approximately one-quarter of the U.S. population. (Escarce, 2002)
The words Hispanic and Latino have a tendency to be used interchangeably here in the United States with regard to Spanish-speaking countries such as Mexico, Brazil and Costa Rica. The remainder of this paper will elaborate on the health promotion of the diverse population of Hispanics in the United States as well as the disparities and barriers associated with the health of these residents.
Current Health Status of the Hispanic Population
The health status of the Hispanic population, according to several government studies, is quite favorable in relation to other U.S. ethnic groups when looking at life expectancy and mortality rates. ("Hispanic Populations," 2014) In 2010, the life expectancy of a Hispanic female was 83.3 years old and a male, 78.5 years old. Compared to the white, non-Hispanic female of 76.4 years old and white male of 81.1 years old. There are approximately 3.2 million Hispanics living in the U.S with diabetes making diabetes the number one diagnosed heath condition. According to a study done by the National Alliance for Hispanic Heath, an overwhelming 86 percent of the Hispanics diagnosed with diabetes said that they are unable to lead a healthy lifestyle even after being aware they have the diagnosis. (Livingston, Minushkin, & Cohn, 2012) Reasons for not being compliant could be a result of lack of education. Approximately 62 percent of Hispanic kindergarteners are expected to graduate from high school compared to 91 percent of white kindergarteners according to a study done by Annie E. Casey Foundation in 2012. (Casey, 2015) Latinos that are educated and have access to a medical system and insurance will generally have better control over their health promotion than those with lower education levels and no health insurance.
Health Promotion Defined by the Hispanic Population
Hispanic immigrants are not necessarily accustomed to health promotion. While this culture may expect health care providers to provide treatment and medications to cure illnesses they have, it is difficult for them to be proactive with disease prevention and self-responsibility with regard to eating healthy and getting daily exercise. For example, a Hispanic female diagnosed with diabetes may feel that she does not have the time or money to eat and cook healthy meals due to her working so much and taking care of her children. Until the day that she has to have a bilateral amputation when she does have the time, but still does not have the money. (Escarce, 2002)
Barriers to Health of Hispanic Population
Hispanic communities have many barriers to health promotion. The primary barrier is language. Patient-provider communication is crucial. Poor communication that results from language barriers can affect the potential outcome of care. For example, inadequate treatment, missed diagnoses, unnecessary testing and procedures as well as dissatisfaction and fear causing the patient to not seeking future medical care when needed. Cultural factors are also barriers to health that can be experienced by the Hispanic population. Having a provider care for and treat a patient of this ethnicity who is not familiar with their culture may not realize how important it is to them to have family involvement when making medical decisions or receiving discharge planning. This may lead to confusion or noncompliance as well as the patient not wanting to return for future medical follow up care.
The socioeconomic status among Hispanics varies among the different subgroups. Mexicans and Puerto Ricans are said to have the highest poverty levels while Cubans and Central Americans are better off. In Los Angeles California, where the largest number of Latino immigrants reside, the average annual income for a Hispanic family is around $26,000 compared to the average annual income for a white, non-Hispanic family being $60,000. (Enchautegui, 2012)
The sociopolitical aspect of the Hispanic population has often times been considered to be more socially conservative than Americans. This is true when it comes to issues such as abortion, however, when it comes to most issues such as homosexuality and lifestyle living, Hispanics are more liberal than Americans. This may be why Hispanics tend to let health issues go without being treated, or continue to not eat healthy or exercise regularly. (Escarce, 2002)
Health Disparities for Hispanic Population Among the Hispanic population the prevalence of obesity, diabetes, periodontitis and HIV continue to grow with diabetes being the largest of the disparities. Healthy People 2020 defines Health disparities as, “a particular type of health difference that is closely linked with a social, economic, and/or environmental disadvantage.”("Hispanic Populations," 2014) Conclusion As the Hispanic population continues to rise in this country, it is extremely important for nurses and physicians to work together to provide heath promotion catered to the Hispanic community. Secondary prevention, which focuses on individuals who are experiencing health problems or illnesses as well as who are at risk for developing complications with the disease process, is an ideal approach to effective teaching with the Hispanic population. By using secondary prevention, care is provided by detection, screening and treatment in the early stages of the disease process. This is a place to start considering that the majority of the Hispanic population have not had the education, have risk factors, and thus are likely to have an existing disease process and may not even know.

References
Casey, A. E. (2015). Race Matters: Unequal Opportunities in Education. Retrieved from www.aecf.org
Enchautegui, M. E. (2012). How Earnings for Latino Immigrants vary in the top 100 U.S. metros. Retrieved from http://metrotrends.org
Escarce, J. J. (2002). Socioeconomic, Cultural, and Behavioral Factors Affecting Hispanic Health Outcomes. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 13, 477-503. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/104920802237532
Hispanic or Latino Populations. (2014). Retrieved from www.cdc.gov
Livingston, G., Minushkin, S., & Cohn, D. (2012). Hispanics and Health Care in the United States. Retrieved from www.pewhispanic.org