One Voice, One Vision-Recommendations to the Surgeon General to Improve Hispanic/Latino Health

摘要

Hispanics/Latinos constitute one of the fastest growing ethnic minorities in the United States. Today, there are 22 million Americans of Hispanic/Latino descent in this country, making up about 9 percent of the Nation's population. By the year 2000, Hispanics/ Latinos will become the largest- and one of the youngest--of America's ethnic minority groups, with an estimated 3.1 million members. By 2050, the Hispanic/Latino population is projected to be 81 million people or about one-fifth of the predicted American population. More than two-thirds of Hispanics/Latinos now living in the United States arc native citizens; however, they do not share in America's bounty. Their per-capita income is disproportionately lower than that of African Americans or non-Hispanic/Latino whites, and more than one-third of them do not have health insurance even though Hispanics/Latinos are the most highly employed minority. The disparity in health status between the Hispanic/Latino and non-Hispanic/ Latino populations in the United States is a recognized problem, and research has been conducted to determine the magnitude and causes of this disparity. However, the problem defies any generic approaches for solutions because of the diversity of the Hispanic/ Latino population in national origin and cultural heritage, economic status, geographical distribution, and demographic characteristics.