Health disparities among Hispanic people living in the United States are a growing concern, especially after the age of 50. These disparities can lead to chronic diseases and disability. Ongoing health disparities can also be harder to overcome as you get older, especially if you have a chronic condition.
Here are some ways to find support and solidarity within the Hispanic community so you can advocate for yourself and others.
Health Disparities Aren’t Fair or Normal
It’s important to recognize the health disparities that Hispanic people face in the United States. Health disparities are differences in how healthy people are. Some people might be more likely to get sick or hurt than others because of things like where they live, how much money they have, or what their race or ethnicity is. These differences can make it harder for some people to stay healthy and get better when they’re sick.
In the United States, Hispanic people face several health disparities, including:
- Lower health insurance coverage rates
- Less access to preventive care
- Language and cultural barriers
- Low incomes and higher levels of poverty
All of these disparities contribute to poor health outcomes in the U.S. Hispanic community. If you’ve ever felt like a doctor has disrespected you, dismissed your concerns, or not given you the right treatment you needed, you aren’t imagining things. And you don’t have to put up with it, either.
The Challenges of Getting Older
The number of older adults in the United States is growing, and older Hispanics adults are the fastest-growing group. In 2017, there were 4.6 million Hispanic people who were 65 and older. By 2060, the number is estimated to grow to 19.9 million.
Older Hispanic people have disproportionate rates of disability, Alzheimer’s, cancer, and chronic diseases. Hispanic people over the age of 50 who live in the United States also have a higher risk of getting diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and chronic liver disease. There are many barriers standing in the way of Hispanic people getting good health care. Among those barriers are implicit bias and discrimination.
When care providers have implicit bias, it means they have preconceived beliefs that affect their understanding, actions, and decisions about others.
For example, research shows that:
- Hispanic men are less likely to get treatment for high-risk prostate cancer than White men.
- People of color who go to an emergency room in the United States are less likely to get prescriptions for certain medications than White people.
It's possible to eliminate implicit bias and discrimination:
- All health care workers should get training in cultural awareness.
- All health care workers should learn about cultural competence and understand that Hispanic people are a very diverse group.
- Hospitals, clinics, and private practices can hire people from various cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds and who are bilingual to create diverse environments.
It’s up to the medical community to make these types of changes, and a number of them already are. But you can also get involved as well. If you have time, you can join a community organization that works to address health disparities among Hispanic people. But you can also try to connect with other patients there who are having the same experience. Together you can get organized and advocate for things like:
- Spanish-speaking care providers
- A more diverse staff with cultural awareness
- Medical interpreters
- Forms and other health literature translated into Spanish
You can also write or call your elected officials and ask them to support policies tackling health disparities and promoting health equity. You can also write letters to the editor of your local newspaper.
Find a Primary Care Doctor You Trust
You can advocate for positive changes and still find a new primary care doctor who is culturally competent and makes you feel comfortable and respected. You don’t have to keep seeing a doctor who’s made you feel like you’re not being treated fairly.
Your doctor should:
- Be culturally competent and communicate with you in a clear, respectful way.
- Have forms that you need to fill out and other health literature translated into Spanish.
- Offer you a medical interpreter so you feel confident that you understand what your doctor is saying and that your doctor understands what you’re saying.
- Not make assumptions about you based on your race or ethnicity.
- Take time to get to know you and tailor medical treatment and advice in a way that makes sense for you.
You should feel comfortable about letting your doctor know if you’re having any difficulties, such as:
- Keeping appointments because of work schedules or social and family obligations
- Paying for prescriptions that might have high copayments or might not be covered by your health plan
- Paying for doctor visits because you don’t have any health insurance or a have insurance with poor coverage
Your doctor might be able to help refer you to a social worker or help connect you with an organization so you can get the help you need. Your doctor can also be mindful about scheduling appointments when it’s easiest for you or even offer virtual visits whenever those are possible.
Ask for a Community Health Worker
You can also ask your doctor to recommend a community health worker. They work with doctors and nurses to make sure everyone has access to the care they need.
They are usually chosen by people in the community because they are trusted members who understand the community’s needs. They go through a shorter training period than doctors and nurses, but they can still help with many health-related tasks, like checking blood pressure, giving first aid, and teaching people about healthy habits.
Community health workers can help you in a number of ways:
- They visit you at home, which is especially helpful for older or disabled people.
- They can help you navigate the complex U.S. health care system.
- They can help translate medical jargon and complex health information into clear language you understand.
- They can advocate on your behalf or back you up when you speak up about bias, discrimination, or unfair treatment.
- They listen to you and show you they care.
Show Sources
Photo Credit: DigitalVision/Getty Images
SOURCES:
CDC: “Hispanics/Latinos,” “Hispanic or Latino People and Type 2 Diabetes,” “Health Disparities,” “Advancing Health Equity, Eliminating Health Disparities, and Improving Population Health.”
The Commonwealth Fund: “In Focus: Identifying and Addressing Health Disparities Among Hispanics.”
Markkula Center for Applied Ethics: “Culturally Competent Care for Latino Patients.”
MHP Salud: “5 Ways Community Health Workers Engage with Hispanic/Latino Older Adults.”
Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio: “How Latino Seniors Can Get Help Navigating Healthcare.”
Social Work: “Social Work Practice with Latinos: Key Issues for Social Workers.”
