Health Needs Assessment Of The Hispanic Latino Community Of Columbus Ohio

The population of Hispanic patients served by those in the Allied Health fields is rapidly growing, especially the population of recent Hispanic immigrants. Those in management of health care delivery will provide better services if armed with an understanding of Hispanic perceptions of such services. This study investigated the perceptions of recent Hispanic immigrants to the Columbus, Ohio area, regarding health, legal and social services, as well as their opinions on certain assumptions made about their community by service organizations. The study also aimed to gather information about how organizations could effectively market their services to this population. The problem was two-fold. First, the network of service organizations geared toward Hispanics of Columbus, Ohio was largely disjointed and not working together to maximize resources. Second, it was unclear whether or not assumptions about the Hispanic community were driving policy decisions, and so it seemed important to know how Hispanics felt about these assumptions. A sample of fifteen recent Hispanic immigrants were referred to the study by community contacts in three different areas of Columbus. The contacts already had established relationships with the subjects. Each subject was interviewed, one-to-one, with the help of a Spanish-speaking interpreter, and the results transcribed into English for analysis. Subjects were generally well aware of available services, or at least of contact persons who could refer them to services, especially on the West side of the city where organizations have focused outreach efforts. Awareness of available medical services was better than awareness of legal services, and most subjects discussed job placement assistance when asked about social services. All subjects expressed a clear desire to improve their English skills. Regarding effective marketing strategies for service organizations, the subjects indicated that the use of flyers in apartment rental offices, and neighborhood Hispanic stores, along with the use of direct mail and local Spanish newspapers, would be effective. An overriding theme of responses was the importance of service organizations offering sincere and personal service, and so several recommendations suggested ways that an organization could create an atmosphere of formal yet friendly cultural competence. Only one of the assumptions researched was invalidated. The responses to the interview questions indicated that the subject did consider preventive health care important, but that barriers such as lack of financial resources, and the inability to speak English, often prevented them from seeking the care of a physician. The other three assumptions were validated by the responses. The subjects indicated that they felt most recent Hispanic immigrants do use home remedies to self-medicate. The subjects also indicated that they felt most recent Hispanic immigrants hold more than one job, and get information via word-of- mouth. Several recommendations about policy and service delivery decisions were made to service organizations based on the results concerning these assumptions. Because so many factors affect a sub-population's perceptions of available services, and therefore its use of those services, several topics of inquiry were included in this thesis, and not just perceptions of health care services specifically.

Sweeping in scope, Health Issues in the Latino Community identifies and offers an in-depth examination of the most critical health issues that affect Latino's health and health care within the United States. This resource offers a comprehensive approach that informs and promotes the advancement of the practice, program planning, research, and public policy to improve health care of all Latino citizens.

Latinos are the fastest growing and largest minority group in the United States. In 2008, this group numbered over 47 million; by 2050, the population is expected to triple, reaching 133 million. Traditionally, Latinos have immigrated to large urban centers (e.g., New York, Los Angeles) that over long periods of time developed a complex infrastructure to receive new immigrants. Increasingly, new Spanish-speaking immigrants are moving into areas of the country previously unfamiliar to them. Although urban co-ethnic communities continue to be the destination of many newcomers, immigrants from Mexico, Central America, and South America in pursuit of low-skilled labor opportunities are settling in small towns and rural areas of the South and Midwest. This new demographic trend has resulted in the creation of the term "new growth communities," which refers to small rural areas that are now home to a small but rapidly growing Hispanic population. Unfortunately, these communities, which are now present in many states across the country (e.g., Illinois, North Carolina), lack the infrastructure necessary to meet the needs of Latino immigrants (e.g., access to health care, immigration assistance, and breaking down language barriers). The lack of an infrastructure and the lack of an established ethnic community to facilitate the assimilation of new immigrants present an ongoing challenge, especially in the area of Latino mental health. The volume focuses on dealing with systemic issues and on providing innovative ideas for development of infrastructure of services. This text will advance ways to understand and ameliorate mental health disparities both from research and experiential perspectives.

Hispanics are defined as people of Spanish-speaking origin from Latin America, the Caribbean, or Europe. Hispanics vary in terms of socioeconomic status, race, religion and/or more. A common occurrence among the Hispanics, however, are the emerging issues concerning their health.It is estimated that by 2050 Hispanics will make up more than 25% of the United States' population. It is thus important that they have the resources to contribute maximally to American society. This can come about by first understanding and dealing with issues surrounding their health. In hopes of examining these issues and as a part of its continuing commitment to promote a national dialogue on race and diversity in the United States, the National Academies organized an expert meeting on Emerging Issues in Hispanic Health on April 10, 2002. Emerging Issues in Hispanic Health: Summary of a Workshop includes a review of key demographic data, such as population statistics, that characterize the Hispanic population in the United States; research on the socioeconomic, sociocultural, and behavioral determinants of health; effects of selective migration; the apparent epidemiological paradox : the relatively positive health outcomes observed in some Hispanic populations despite their relatively poor socioeconomic status or other types of disadvantage such as discrimination; and more.

In the United States, work is the key to economic success, as well as the major source of health care coverage and retirement security. While Europeans look to the State for these benefits, Americans for the most part do not. This system of employment-based benefits means that those disadvantaged in the labor market are also disadvantaged in terms of health care coverage and retirement security. The authors of this work examine the overrepresentation of Mexican Americans in low wage or service sector jobs, which rarely come with health insurance or retirement coverage. At all ages, Mexican Americans have lower rates of health insurance and retirement coverage than do other minority groups, such as African Americans or other Hispanic groups. Although employment in jobs that do not provide benefits is one major source of this disparity, other factors—including immigration history, citizenship status, and language proficiency—further block opportunities for upward mobility within the Mexican American population. In their analysis, the authors work to deemphasize the popular, cultural explanation for the economic disparities and focus on more practical, policy-based solutions. In each chapter, the authors identify and critique the factors that affect the economic security and health care access of individuals throughout the life course, suggesting policies for reform. This work will be of interest to anyone working in the fields of cultural studies, public health and the sociology of work. With the focus on real world causes for the problems as well as potential solutions, policy-makers will also find this informative book an essential resource.

Hispanic Voices is the second in our series of books on the health iss ues that affect distinct communities. Here, prominent educators explor e the pressing cultural and health needs of Hispanics. Discussions on poverty and children, risks of immigration, HIV/AIDS, stress and depre ssion, the homeless, migrant farm workers, racism, lifestyles, communi ty/spiritual values, and more depict the complexity of problems affect ing the health of Hispanics everywhere. Essential for all health educa tors, students, community activists - anyone interested in the future of health care.