Health Issues

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Health Issues

1. Physical activity

Data regarding physical activity among Puerto Rican individuals are

sparse. It is clear that these individuals have relatively high rates

of obesity, diabetes and heart disease, all of which are often

accompanied by relative physical inactivity. However, this assumption

must be regarded as no more than a hypothesis.

2. Overweight and obesity

Puerto Rican diet tends to be relatively high in calories, fat,

complex carbohydrates, and sodium. It is somewhat deficient in calcium

and vegetables. Younger individuals have abandoned the traditional

diet for a more Americanized diet that includes a great deal of fast

food, pizza, hot dogs, canned spaghetti, and cold cereals.

As a result of diet, as well as related factors, Puerto Ricans suffer

disproportionately from diabetes (three to five times the general

population), high blood pressure, cancer, arthritis, gastrointestinal

disorders, and obesity. The rate of obesity among Puerto Rican males

overall was reported in 1984 to be 25%, 15% at age 20-24, to 31% at

age 65-74. Among women, the overall rate was 37%, ranging from 23% at

age 20-24 to 61% at age 60-74. There is reason to believe that the

situation has worsened as acculturation has worsened the quality of

diet for individuals of Hispanic descent in the U.S.

In general, approaches to dietary counseling in Puerto Rican

communities is most successful if the teacher is respected, the

approach is personal, and the counseling is sanctioned by a respected

member of the community.

3. Tobacco use

Smoking was reported to be lower among Hispanic women overall (13.8

percent) than among...

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Rican individuals as it does to most other minority groups.

In 1984, Puerto Ricans were reported as having the lowest rate of

health insurance at 40% of the population. By 2000, the number had

been reduced to 33%, still much higher than the 14% reported in the

population of the U.S. overall. At least 25% of Puerto Ricans report

failure to receive needed care within a 12 month period. Preventive

care, such as pap smears, cholesterol testing, or blood pressure

checks are particularly difficult for Puerto Rican individuals to

obtain.

Latinos as a group tend to underutilize health services, especially

mental health care. Barriers encountered include economics, language,

and cultural factors. Individuals of Puerto Rican descent believe that

their care would be better if the provider were also Puerto Rican.

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