Racial health disparities exist in wider US society, as it has already been proved by the numerous studies of COVID-19 treatment demography. Other disparities the Latino population usually faces include language-related inequality and discrepancies in providing healthcare for Latino youth with problem behavior. Providing equal healthcare for all US citizens is essential since it goes along with American democratic principles and values. This paper aims to create an annotated bibliography of scientific articles presenting the lack of healthcare resources among Latino communities.
Annotated Bibliography
Ruiz, John M., Belinda Campos, and James J. Garcia. “Special issue on Latino physical health: Disparities, paradoxes, and future directions.” Journal of Latina/o Psychology 4.2 (2016): 61.
The authors present the main subjects covered in the whole journal: Latino healthcare disparities, higher longevity levels, and lower cardiovascular and cancer disease cases. The latter phenomenon is known as the Latino health paradox and leaves scientists with a whole research field. Scholars emphasize that this phenomenon exists despite health disparities and does not justify them. The authors emphasize that in further research, the tradition of considering the Latin American population as a separate group should be abandoned. On the contrary, sufficient attention should be paid to Latin American groups and communities, which differ significantly in socio-cultural indicators such as immigration status, income level, age, and geographic location.
Kia-Keating, Maryam, et al. “Using community-based participatory research and human-centered design to address violence-related health disparities among Latino/a youth.” Family & Community Health 40.2 (2017): 160.
The authors of this study highlight inequality in health care services among a group of young Hispanics who are prone to problem behavior. According to scholars, there is a request to develop ways of working with this group and involve communities in dialogue and joint action. The authors believe that the combined efforts of parents, adolescents, and researchers will help develop effective practices to promote this group’s health. The study aims to gain the attention of Latino communities and medical practitioners who work with them to create well-thought-out practical approaches. This article satisfies the previous request that the Hispanic population should be treated in terms of separate groups.
Harkness, Audrey, et al. “Latinx health disparities research during COVID-19: Challenges and innovations.” Annals of Behavioral Medicine 54.8 (2020): 544-547.
This study explores the topic of continuing research into the underserved population of Hispanics with behavioral problems such as substance use, violence, and HIV/AIDS. The authors note that, despite the threats of COVID-19, there is an opportunity to proceed with research. Moreover, investigations related to COVID-19 expand opportunities for study. Therefore, this article is another contribution to developing health care strategies for young Hispanic populations with problematic behavior.
Avilés-Santa, M. Larissa, et al. “Personalized medicine and Hispanic health: Improving health outcomes and reducing health disparities – a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute workshop report.” BMC Proceedings. 11.11 (2017): 1-12.
This article is a report from a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute workshop, which collaborated with the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and conducted a personalized treatment workshop. According to scientists, personalization considers individual variability in genetics, environment, lifestyle, and socio-economic determinants of health. This approach is potentially successful in understanding the underlying factors contributing to health disparities among Hispanics and other groups in the United States. Although the authors represent Hispanics as one group, their idea of an individualized approach will improve patients’ health.
Showstack, Rachel E., et al. “Improving Latino health equity through Spanish language interpreter advocacy in Kansas.” Hispanic Health Care International 17.1 (2019): 18-22.
The authors of this article reveal the language barrier faced by groups of the Hispanic population. In particular, in Kansas, there is a lack of signs in hospital buildings in Spanish. Although non-English speakers are guaranteed by law in most states to obtain a medical interpreter when receiving medical care, this practice is not always implemented. Lack of adequate translation leads to many medical errors and reduces patient satisfaction and health outcomes. The authors reach out to peers across states and suggest changes to improve access and reduce health disparities.
Works Cited
Avilés-Santa, M. Larissa, et al. “Personalized medicine and Hispanic health: Improving health outcomes and reducing health disparities – a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute workshop report.”BMC Proceedings. 11.11 (2017): 1-12.
Harkness, Audrey, et al. “Latinx health disparities research during COVID-19: Challenges and innovations.”Annals of Behavioral Medicine 54.8 (2020): 544-547.
Kia-Keating, Maryam, et al. “Using community-based participatory research and human-centered design to address violence-related health disparities among Latino/a youth.”Family & Community Health 40.2 (2017): 160.
Ruiz, John M., Belinda Campos, and James J. Garcia. “Special issue on Latino physical health: Disparities, paradoxes, and future directions.”Journal of Latina/o Psychology 4.2 (2016): 61.
Showstack, Rachel E., et al. “Improving Latino health equity through Spanish language interpreter advocacy in Kansas.”Hispanic Health Care International 17.1 (2019): 18-22.