The Latino Patient - Defining the Latino Patient

Who are "Latino Patients" in the United States?

In 2002, when this book was written, there were 35.3 million Latinos living in the United States. In order to provide healthcare appropriately to this population, there are three main challenges that providers must overcome: language, diversity, and culture. Adequately overcoming the barriers in communication involves having some proficiency in the Spanish language in addition to understanding the diversity in the Latino group and its culture. 

Here are a few of the many facts mentioned in The Latino Patient about the Latinos living in the United States:

• The terms Latino and Hispanic can be used interchangeably, both referring to people of Spanish decent (from Spain) and people whose native language is Spanish.
• People from different Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America have distinctive accents and speech patterns. 
• For example, Mexicans use many idioms, Central Americans tend to speak very quickly, and South Americans have melodic intonations and an more educated vocabulary.
• There are 22 different countries to which Latinos can trace their origins.
• The majority of Latinos are Catholics, which can influence their attitude towards health and disease.
• For example, some may believe that an illness or ailment is a consequence of disfavor in the eyes of God.
• U.S. Latinos are a young population, which a median age of 25.9 compared to 35 years as the median age of the general population
• The life expectancy is 79 years for the Latino population while that of the general population is 75 years.
• The major health problems of Latinos in the United States are similar to those of the general population, including diabetes, tuberculosis, and HIV infection, among others.

There are a few interesting theories that may explain the low mortality rates seen in the Latino population. One of these is known as the healthy migrant effect, which suggests that the people who immigrate are those who are physically able to go and healthier than those who remain behind. Additionally, the salmon bias effect states that many Latinos return to their home countries after a temporary stay in the United States, wishing to return home when they grow old or become seriously ill. 

In addition to language differences, which is an obviously barrier, there are many factors that affect the decision of Latinos to seek healthcare and treatment. While nearly two thirds of the Latino population has health insurance coverage, a third still remains uncovered. This increases the difficulty in accessing healthcare for many Latinos. Many resort to seeking care in emergency rooms, which obviously can provide care for temporary problems but lack the ability to offer follow up or preventative services. Acculturation, the changes that must be made to adapt to a new culture, also presents Latinos with unique challenges. This includes learning to live in a culture that is loaded with rules and regulations. Practices such as taking a number, waiting in line, filling out forms, and so on, can be great hassles for Latinos who are unfamiliar with such habits.