Latino Health in the United States

Being Latino means sharing a rich culture, language, food, music, and traditions that connect us. We may also share certain health characteristics. These differences can be influenced by factors specific to individual communities, as well as social and economic conditions and access to health care.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Latinos have historically had less access to health insurance. In 2009, only 37.3% of Latinos under age 65 had private health insurance, compared with 73.3% of non-Latino whites. Among Latino subgroups, Mexicans had the lowest coverage rate (34.7%), while Cubans had the highest (54.3%).

Lack of insurance can lead many Latinos to rely on free or low-cost clinics or delay medical care until an illness requires urgent attention. Delaying doctor visits and preventive services can mean that some conditions are diagnosed only after they have become more serious and expensive to treat.

Pregnancy and Maternal Health

Teen pregnancy rates among Latina adolescents are three times higher than among white adolescents. Teenage pregnancy can pose health risks and make it more difficult for young women to complete their education.

Access to prenatal care also varies significantly. In 2007, Latinas were 2.3 times more likely to receive no prenatal care or begin care late: 12.9%, compared with 5.5% among non-Latina white women. Lack of prenatal care can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth and affect newborn health.

Infectious Diseases

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Latinos faced three times the risk of contracting COVID-19 compared with non-Latinos and approximately twice the risk of dying from the disease.

Latinos have also been disproportionately affected by other infectious diseases. In 2007, the rate of chlamydia among Latinos was nearly three times higher than among whites. HIV/AIDS prevalence was also higher, at 585 cases per 100,000 Latinos compared with
224 among whites.

The Importance of Vaccination

In 2009, influenza vaccination coverage among adults was 40.3% among Latinos, compared with 53.7% among non-Latino whites. For pneumococcal vaccination, the difference was even greater: 40.1% among Latinos compared with 64.8% among non-Latino whites.

Lower vaccination rates can contribute to higher rates of preventable illnesses, including influenza and pneumonia.

Diabetes, Obesity and Asthma

Diabetes also affects some Latino communities at higher rates. In 2007, the diabetes mortality rate among Latinos was 28.9 per 100,000 people, compared with 19.8 among non-Latino whites.

Diabetes is often associated with overweight, obesity, certain dietary habits, and lack of physical activity. Between 2005 and 2008, 79.2% of Mexican American men ages 20 to 74 were overweight, compared with 72.9% of non-Latino white men.

Asthma also varies significantly among Latino groups. In 2005, Puerto Ricans had an asthma prevalence rate of 17.0, more than twice the rate among non-Latino whites (7.6), while Mexicans had one of the lowest rates, at 7.3. These differences show that health outcomes are not the same across all Latino communities.

What Can We Do?

Although these figures are concerning, they also represent a call to action. Maintaining healthy habits, eating nutritious foods, increasing our intake of fruits and vegetables, and staying physically active can contribute to better health. It is also important to talk openly with our children about health and use available preventive services.

Regular medical checkups and vaccinations can help prevent illness or detect problems early. For those without health insurance, community health centers and other free or low-cost services can provide access to care.

With information, prevention, healthy habits, and timely access to health care, we can help improve these numbers and build healthier Latino communities.

Dr. Diego Chaves-Gnecco MD, MPH, FAAP is Salud para Niños Program Director & Founder and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine.