Healthcare Disparities in Latinx and and the Euro-American Communities Research Paper

Research studies reveal that there exists a high level of healthcare disparities among the Latinx and the Euro-American communities. These results have been supported by the national health indices which indicate that Latinxs are healthier than their European counterparts (Showstack et al., 2019). While acknowledging the existing major health problems among the Latinxs, such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers, enquiries continue to show that the Euro-Americans experience a high number of such conditions (Ruiz et al., 2016). According to the research results, the mortality rates among Latinxs have reduced drastically over the past years (Ruiz et al., 2016). The decreased population mortality trends have been reshaped by many factors, such as reduced rates of diseases, improved living standards, and social forces. The trend indicates that despite the health disparities that Latinx communities suffer from, they do better than Euro-Americans. This paper aims at exploring the healthcare disparity between Latinxs and Euro-Americans. The research will further analyze the factors responsible for the differences and provide the right recommendations on how to improve Euro-Americans’ health.

There are several reasons why Latinx communities have continued to have better healthcare programs than Euro-Americans. First, based on the most recent studies, it has been noted with much concern that Latinxs have robust phenotypic variance compared to their counterparts. As an ethnic group, Latinxs have various subgroups such as Cubans, Mexicans, and Puerto Ricans, which possess significant genetic heterogeneity (Harkness et al., 2020). These factors provide members with a strong immune system that is capable of protecting them against the occurrence of many diseases. The genotypic variation is positively linked to disease susceptibility by making the Latinxs healthier people in society. The phenotypic factors are believed to be the strongest elements that have continued to help the Latinxs to prevent the attack of some of the most common conditions such as pneumonia.

The second most crucial aspect which has continued to improve Latinx Americans’ health standards compared to the Euro-Americans is their behavior. Based on several research analyses, the number of Latinx Americans abusing various drugs, involved in violence, and other negative behaviors is relatively fewer than their Euro-American counterparts (Ruiz et al., 2016). Such studies reveal that most Latinx Americans are relatively disciplined hence less susceptible to unhealthy behavior. In most cases, Latinx Americans are not actively involved in promiscuous behaviors that may result in diseases such as human-immunodeficiency virus (HIV). As a result of such a trend, these Latinxs have managed to live healthy lives compared to the Euro-Americans (Kia-Keating et al., 2017). Therefore, it is critical for the Euro-Americans to change their behavioral orientation to help them achieve better health standards.

Third, Latinxs are believed to have arrived in America when they were healthier than the Euro-Americans. The Latinxs’ living standards have further been promoted by a general improvement in living standards, nutrition, and social conditions. According to the most recent studies, it is evident that most Latinx Americans often trust in the need to consume vegetables coupled with fruits as their nutritional choice (Harkness et al., 2020). Unlike the Euro-Americans who are fond of industrial and processed meals, the Latinx Americans believe in traditional vegetables as their main course of the meal. Subsequently, Latinx Americans usually have better living standards as compared to the Euro-Americans. In most cases, the Latinx-Americans are highly engaged in different activities, such as businesses that have helped them gain better lives.

Social positions have also played a significant role in promoting healthcare disparities between Latinxs and Euro-Americans. In simple terms, determinants such as poverty, unstable employment, and confronting trauma have continued to affect Euro-Americans’ health status (Ruiz et al., 2016). According to the research studies, it has been noted that most of the Euro-Americans are exposed to a high level of strain compared to Latinx Americans. These examinations have revealed that a high level of stress is mainly attributed to failure to obtain a better education, high living standards, and raising their families (Avilés-Santa et al., 2017). The study results accept that such exposure to the condition has made the Euro-Americans have a low sense of control over their health. The trend, in turn, has resulted in instability in hormonal regulation. The lasting effects of the process include a high level of metabolic syndrome, hypertension, and ultimate systematic mortality difference between Latinxs and the Euro-Americans.

Although the overall rate of cancer patients has increased among Americans, the number of Latinxs dying has reduced drastically. The reduction rate of the disease has majorly been attributed to early detection and management. The death rates among the Latinxs suffering from cancer have shown a reduction in the number of people dying from cervical, liver, and stomach cancer (Harkness et al., 2020). The presented rates are consistent with previous reports that have indicated a decrease in the qualities of cervical and colon cancer among Latinxs. The provided trend is a clear indication that Latinxs are better sensitized on the causes and proper management of cancer than the Euro-Americans.

Solutions to the Problem

Based on the presented facts, it is evident that there is a need to promote Euro-Americans’ health standards. The United States Government must take the responsibility to sensitize the Euro-Americans on the necessity of improving their living standards, social aspects, and mental health. The Euro-Americans must understand that better health starts from the immediate environment and how people perceive issues in their lives. The proposed sensitization will help create change in how the Euro-Americans care about their health. In other words, they will accept that it is their responsibility to promote better living standards and fitness in their lives.

Research and development should continue to be undertaken to formulate some of the best vaccines that will promote the overall health capacity of the Euro-Americans. According to the WHO, vaccines play a critical role in stimulating the health of an individual (Showstack et al., 2019). In most cases, these drugs usually isolate the disease before its onset. The immunization drugs should care for most common conditions among Americans, such as HIV, various types of cancers, and coronavirus (Ruiz et al., 2016). Therefore, making the right discovery is a continuing effort to help achieve better health standards among both the Latinxs and the Euro-Americans.

In conclusion, both the Latinx and Euro-Americans experience varied health challenges. Nevertheless, the Euro-Americans are highly linked to a severe ill-health compared to their Latinx counterparts. The cause of the above disparity is the social, economic, and health disparities in America. The American government should continue to educate the population on how to improve their health. Subsequently, health care providers should research to develop better drugs to suppress some of the health conditions. The above move will help to create a long-lasting solution to the challenge experienced.

References

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Harkness, A., Gattamorta, K. A., Estrada, Y., Jimenez, D., Kanamori, M., Prado, G., & Behar-Zusman, V. (2020). Latinx health disparities research during COVID-19: Challenges and innovations. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 54(8), 544−547. Web.

Kia-Keating, M., Capos, D., Liu, S., & Adams, J. (2017). Using community based participatory research and human centered design to address violence-related health disparities among Latino/a youth. Family & Community Health, 40(2), 160−169. Web.

Ruiz, J. M., Campos, B., & Garcia, J. J. (2016). Special issue on Latinx physical health: Disparities, paradoxes, and future directions. Journal of Latinx Psychology, 4(2), 61−66. Web.

Showstack, R. E., Guzman, K., Chesser, A. K., & Woods, N. K. (2019). Improving Latino health equity through Spanish language interpreter advocacy in Kansas. Hispanic Health Care International, 17(1), 18−22. Web.