Hispanic-American Health Assessment: Santa Ana, California

National Demographics and Health Status of Hispanic-Americans

The Hispanic-Americans of Santa Ana, California are the population assessed in this paper. According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau report, the total U.S. population is 312 million, of whom nearly 50 million are Hispanic-Americans. Nationwide, 10% of Hispanic-Americans report being in fair or poor health (NCHS, 2011). The death rate for this population is 297.8 per 100,000 people, and their leading causes of death are heart disease, cancer, unintentional injuries, and infant mortality, with infant deaths occurring at a rate of 5.51 per 1,000 live births. Additionally, 33% of Hispanic-Americans aged 65 and older have no health insurance coverage (NCHS, 2011).

The psychiatric and mental health needs of this growing ethnic population have yet to be covered adequately (Lopez & Carrillo, 2001). Hispanic-Americans, or Latinos, differ considerably from the general U.S. population in both physical and mental health indicators. Non-Hispanic medical and mental health professionals need to better understand these differences in order to provide much-needed services (Lopez & Carrillo, 2001).

Health Status of Hispanic-Americans in California

Among all racial and ethnic groups in California, Hispanic-Americans have the highest rates of obesity, overweight, and type-2 diabetes (NCHS, 2011). The California Department of Health Services reported in 2005 that almost 7 out of 10 Hispanic-Americans in the state are either overweight or obese, with those aged 12–17 being the most affected. Overweight prevalence is nearly twice as high among those born in the United States as among those who are not U.S.-born. These figures are associated with the very high prevalence of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. Obesity is a common risk factor for all of these diseases and accounts for nearly 60% of all Hispanic-American deaths. Childhood obesity raises even greater alarm, as it increases the risk of diabetes; health experts project that half of all Hispanic-American newborns will develop diabetes at some point during their lifetime (NCHS, 2011).

Obesity has been linked to high-caloric consumption of high-fat, high-sugar snacks, fast foods, and sweetened drinks (NCHS, 2011). The diets of Hispanic-American children contain comparatively higher amounts of these items than those of most other children in the United States, placing them at a particularly elevated risk for obesity relative to other ethnic groups (NCHS, 2011).

Physical inactivity is another contributing factor to the development of obesity (NCHS, 2011). Against the recommended minimum of 30 minutes of activity on at least five days per week, fewer than one in four Hispanic-Americans are physically active for even 20 minutes three times per week. Statistics reveal that male Hispanic-Americans are the most sedentary group among all minority groups, at 46%. Nearly 10% of Hispanic-American adolescents engage in no light or moderate activity at all. Excessive television viewing and media use also contribute to poor health status; surveys show that children in the United States spend an average of five and a half hours per day watching television and using video games or computers (NCHS, 2011).

Risk Factors for Poor Health Outcomes

The primary risk factors for poor health among Hispanic-Americans include smoking (19% among males and 10% among females), unhealthy diets, physical inactivity or a sedentary lifestyle, genetics, low socioeconomic conditions, immigration, acculturation, and health conditions in their countries of origin.

Low socioeconomic conditions drive many Hispanic-Americans to settle in low-income neighborhoods that have limited access to markets and other outlets where healthy foods can be obtained (NCHS, 2011). Mini-stores and convenience stores in these neighborhoods typically sell liquor and high-calorie, non-nutritious snacks instead. Only 52% of low-income residents in California live within half-a-mile walking distance of a store that sells healthy food. These neighborhoods also have fewer and less well-equipped recreational facilities. Fewer Hispanic-American children and adults use parks and playgrounds than their White counterparts. Unsafe neighborhoods, limited recreational opportunities, and a lack of child care facilities all reduce the chances for physical activity. Residents instead turn to television, which further exposes them to advertisements for sugary and fatty foods and unhealthy eating habits (NCHS, 2011). Recent surveys indicate that approximately 72% of adult Hispanic-Americans are either overweight or obese (OCHNA, 2005).