Growing Latino Population Research Articles

Congress, ideological extremity, and Latino demography: understanding congressional adaptability in the face of Latino population change

ABSTRACT As Latinos settle in new locations across the U.S., Republican members of Congress (MCs) are increasingly faced with adapting their behavior to incorporate this ideologically variant group. I argue that Republican MCs adapt to changing district demographics through vigilant assessment of the makeup (percent Latino) and preferences (white racial threat attitudes) of their reelection constituency. Using data from 1971 to 2015, I demonstrate that Republican MCs roll-call behavior is increasingly conservative until the district Latino population reaches 37%, where they begin to incorporate Latino interests and reduce their extreme conservative fervor. Between 30-35% Latinos, Republican MCs exhibit the lowest level of dyadic district congruence, illustrating that they are cross-pressured by conservative whites and liberal Latinos within this range. These findings suggest that Republican members of Congress are already adapting to the growing Latino population in their districts in an unexpected manner and will only incorporate Latinos when electorally necessary.

Examination of Ecological Systems Contexts Within a Latino-Based Community Sport Youth Development Initiative.

Youth Development Programs (YDPs) can serve as effective mechanisms to alleviate social and psychological adversities while enhancing and developing resilience among youth. Recently, more YDPs have incorporated sport within Sport for Development (SFD) models to achieve these goals. Due to the growing Latino population in the US and the wide achievement gap between Latinos and other demographic populations, there is a need to explore programs that may support individual development as well as long-term change with regard to social inequality. There is also a need to better understand the ecological contexts within SFD programs and how these contexts may support underserved youth. Specifically, using an ecological systems perspective, this study seeks to explore the implementation of a sport program by a YDP in order to examine the ecological processes that may support or inhibit the efficacy of sport programs working with underserved youth. Juntos is a YDP that primarily serves Latinx youth and families by assisting youth with graduating high school and pursuing higher education opportunities. Juntos incorporates two annual soccer tournaments (i.e., Kicking it with Juntos and Copa Unidos). A qualitative case study approach was implemented in two counties in North Carolina. Interviews were conducted with tournament participants, county coordinators and planning committee members. Findings found three key themes related to three ecological levels 1. At the Microsystem level, sport was implemented to engage youth and connect to non-sport program outcomes, but divergent perceptions of goals among stakeholders potentially inhibited intentional implementation. At the Mesosystem level, sport provided a mechanism to engage in collaborative relationships and encouraged parental participation. At the Macrosystem level, sport celebrated Latino culture and attempted to address social barriers facing Latinx youth, but some aspects of culture may have created barriers to access for girls. Findings suggested that while the programs emphasized mesosystem engagement, more integration across exosystem and macrosystem levels may be needed for sustainable outcomes.

Developing Smart Goals With Latinos To Address Their Life Concerns Surrounding Physical Activity And Recreation

PURPOSE: Raices was a community health worker (promotores)-delivered intervention offering non-directive social support to improve healthcare access, physical activity, and healthy eating among Latinos living in an emerging community, an area with a small yet growing Latino population. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the intervention helped participants develop SMART (i.e., specific, measurable, realistic, attainable and time-bound) goals that addressed their life concerns, specifically highlighting those findings related to physical activity. METHODS: Promotores used an intervention tool assessing wellness in eight domains of participants’ lives (e.g., family, physical activity/recreation) and supported participants in developing SMART goals to address their life concerns. The research team summarized participants’ data and assessed whether the goals 1) met SMART criteria and 2) focused on participants’ identified concerns. RESULTS: We recruited 192 Latino participants from South America (42%), Mexico (30%) Central America (11%) and other countries (10%). Participants ranked physical activity and recreation (18.2%) and eating habits (17.8%) as top areas that were concerning or very concerning. Overall, participants developed 195 goals after the first intervention visit. Most goals met the SMART criteria completely (35.4%) or partially (48.7). Of the 195 goals set, 30% of them focused on physical activity/recreation, and 91% of those goals met the SMART criteria completely or partially. CONCLUSIONS: Promotores successfully elicited participant life concerns and assisted them in setting SMART goals to address these areas of concern, including a top concern of physical activity/recreation. The intervention would benefit from additional promotores training in developing SMART goals.

STRENGTH IN SEEKING SUPPORT: OLDER LATINOS’ ATTITUDES ABOUT CANCER

Given the growing Latino population 60 years and older, the current lack of relevant data, there is an urgent need to understand their attitudes about cancer to ensure effective prevention, intervention, and psycho-social care. A survey exploring attitudes about cancer was developed and administered in Spanish. Using convenience sampling (N = 168), univariate analysis was done to understand the study population’s characteristics. Frequencies were assessed to understand participants’ responses to questions on cancer-related attitudes. The effects of age, country of origin, length of stay in the U.S., and marital status were assessed using logistic regression. The participants had a mean age of 67.9 years, 65.5% were female, 56.5% were married or living with a partner, and 35.5% had tertiary education. Most respondents were from South America (46.7%), with a mean length of stay in the U.S. of 25.8 years. A high number (91.0%) indicated a preference to know if they had cancer, and 87.5% said that they would share their diagnosis with family and friends. Of the respondents, 80.4% felt that cancer patients should receive care from a psychologist and that cancer improves if a patient is lively and positive (82.6%). Compared to college-educated individuals, those with a high school education were less likely to choose to know about a cancer diagnosis (β=-1.92, p<0.01) or share it (β= 1.78, p<0.001). Attitudes about cancer vary depending on the educational level of older Latinos and may impact treatment decisions. These findings can enhance cancer information and education for older Latinos.

The Activation of Prejudice and Presidential Voting: Panel Evidence from the 2016 U.S. Election

Divisions between Whites and Blacks have long influenced voting. Yet given America’s growing Latino population, will Whites’ attitudes toward Blacks continue to predict their voting behavior? Might anti-Latino prejudice join or supplant them? These questions took on newfound importance after the 2016 campaign, in which the Republican candidate’s rhetoric targeted immigrants from Mexico and elsewhere. We examine the relationship between Whites’ prejudices, immigration attitudes, and voting behavior using a population-based panel spanning 9 years. Donald Trump’s candidacy activated anti-Black but not anti-Latino prejudice, while other GOP candidates had no such effect. This and other evidence suggests that Whites’ prejudice against Blacks is potentially activated even when salient political rhetoric does not target them exclusively. These results shed light on the continued political impact of anti-Black prejudice while deepening our understanding of the mobilization of prejudice and the associated psychological mechanisms.

Latinos and American Catholicism: Examining Service Provision Amidst Demographic Change

AbstractThe Catholic Church currently sits at the forefront of U.S. demographic change as a prominent institution that is working on how to positively respond to a growing Latino population. Understanding the factors that either complicate or facilitate that endeavor may help other institutions in their future efforts to likewise integrate and serve Latino communities. Further, there may be broader implications for the success of Catholic churches to serve as research has found that participation in church activities is positively related to increased rates of civic and political engagement. However, these positive effects cannot be felt if churches fail to present the opportunity to participate in the first place. To that end, this study examines the relationship between Latino population density, the presence of a Latino minister, and the likelihood a church would offer Spanish mass or any other service relevant to the Latino community. I find these factors are useful in predicting service provision to a limited degree, and that individual leaders’ initiative and decision making also play a role in determining institutional responsiveness.

Mujeres Fuertes y Corazones Saludables, a Culturally Tailored Physical Activity and Nutrition Program for Rural Latinas: Findings from a Pilot Study.

In the United States, Latino adults, compared with non-Hispanic white adults, are less likely to meet physical activity and dietary recommendations, and have higher rates of obesity. There is an urgent need for culturally adapted health promotion programs that meet the needs of the growing Latino population in the United States. We systematically adapted StrongWomen—Healthy Hearts, an evidence-based physical activity and nutrition program, for rural Latinas. This paper reports results from a pilot study of the adapted program. We used mixed methods to assess the feasibility and efficacy of the adapted program, Mujeres Fuertes y Corazones Saludables, in a nonprofit community organization serving rural Latinos. The intervention consisted of sixty-minute classes held twice weekly for 12 weeks and included 30 minutes of physical activity and 30 minutes of nutrition education. To assess efficacy, we used a one-group, pre–post design with overweight/obese, sedentary, middle-aged or older, Spanish-speaking rural Latinas (n = 15). Outcome measures included weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity, dietary behavior, and self-efficacy for diet and physical activity. Process outcomes included attendance, end of class surveys, mid-program evaluation survey, and a post-program focus group. We calculated means and standard deviations, paproired t-tests, and Cohen’s D effect size. Qualitative data were analyzed using qualitative description. Significant changes pre- to post-program included weight (−1.5 kg; p = 0.009), BMI (−0.6; p = 0.005), waist circumference (−3.0 cm; p = 0.008), 6-minute walk test (69.7 m; p < 0.001), frequency of sugar-added drink consumption (−0.7 servings; p = 0.008), fruit and vegetable intake (1.3 servings; p = 0.035), and physical activity self-efficacy (0.9 points; p = 0.022). Participants found the program motivating and enjoyable, and on average participants attended 62% of classes and fidelity was maintained. This pilot study suggests that this culturally adapted physical activity and nutrition program for rural Latinas shows promise in improving physical activity, diet, and obesity.

Prejudice, Priming, and Presidential Voting: Panel Evidence from the 2016 U.S. Election

Divisions between Whites and Blacks have long influenced voting. Yet given America's growing Latino population, will Whites' attitudes toward Blacks continue to predict their voting behavior? Might anti-Latino prejudice join or supplant them? These questions took on newfound importance after the 2016 campaign, in which the Republican candidate's rhetoric targeted immigrants from Mexico and elsewhere. We examine the relationship between Whites' prejudices, immigration attitudes, and voting behavior using a population-based panel spanning 9 years. Donald Trump's candidacy activated anti-Black but not anti-Latino prejudice, while other GOP candidates had no such effect. This and other evidence suggests that Whites' prejudice against Blacks is potentially activated even when salient political rhetoric does not target them exclusively. These results shed light on the continued political impact of anti-Black prejudice while deepening our understanding of the mobilization of prejudice. %They also illustrate a psychological mechanism through which rhetoric targeting one group may evoke longstanding cognitive associations about another.

2395 Developing a conceptual model of healthcare access for adolescent Latinas in the US South

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: Alabama (AL) experienced a 145% increase in its Latino population between 2000 and 2010; making it the state with the second fastest growing Latino population in the United States (US) during that time. Adolescent Latinas in the United States and in AL are disproportionately affected by sexual health disparities as evidenced by the disproportionate burden of HIV, STIs and early pregnancy compared with their non-Hispanic, White counterparts. In 2011, Alabama passed 1 of the harshest anti-immigration laws in the nation. Following the passing of this law, county health department visits among Latino adults decreased by 25% for STIs and 13% for family planning. Empirical data with adult Latinas in the Southeast suggest significant barriers to sexual healthcare access. However, to our knowledge, no other researchers have examined barriers and facilitators to sexual healthcare access for this subpopulation. Therefore, the goal of this 3-phase study is to: (a) better understand the factors underlying sexual health disparities and gaps in healthcare access among adolescent Latinas; (b) develop a conceptual model based on these data and the extant literature summarizing the theorized pathways through which factors at differing levels of the socioecological model of health (SEMH) impact sexual healthcare access for this group; and (c) develop community-driven, theory-based, culturally-relevant, multilevel intervention strategies to reduce sexual health disparities and increase sexual healthcare access for adolescent Latinas through a community-engaged, intervention mapping process. Community based participatory research (CBPR), which ensures equitable participation of stakeholder groups through partnerships, and the SEMH, which conceptualizes the individual as nested within a set of social structures, provide the philosophical and theoretical frameworks for the work. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: From January of 2017 to December of 2017 we completed phase 1 of the study: conducting and analyzing 20 semi-structured qualitative interviews with adolescents who: self-identified as Latina, were between 15 and 20 years of age, had been in the United States for over 5 years, and lived in one of the counties of West AL and 15 semi-structured qualitative interviews with key stakeholders (healthcare providers, parents, policy makers, etc.) who regularly work with Latina adolescents. Interview participants were recruited through purposeful-convenience sampling. Two bilingual (in English and Spanish) coders used an iterative process (between independent coding and consensus building) to analyze the data using NVivo 11. Phase 2 of the study is currently underway: constructing a conceptual model on sexual healthcare access for young Latinas in Alabama. We have utilized an iterative process between qualitative interview data collected in phase 1 and review of the extant literature to draft a conceptual model of healthcare access among adolescent Latinas in the US South. This model will serve as the foundation of future studies including the development of intervention strategies through a CBPR process (phase 3), to commence in January 2018. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: PHASE 1: Several barriers and facilitators to sexual healthcare access emerged from the semi-structured qualitative research interviews with young women. These included: (1) parental approval/disapproval and embarrassment (“pena”); (2) structural barriers/facilitators to care (e.g., lack of transportation, flexible clinic hours); and (3) negative/positive experiences with providers (e.g., perceived discrimination based on immigrant status). Key stakeholders identified the following barriers and facilitators to sexual healthcare access for adolescent Latinas in their interviews: (1) language barriers/need for interpreters and outreach workers to work with young Latina women; (2) need for better sexual health education across the state; (3) lack of knowledge among young women and their parents about institutions in general and sexual healthcare, in specific; and (4) perceived lack of “deservingness” and discrimination from providers/“not my patients” phenomenon. PHASE 2: This presentation will summarize the development of our conceptual model (see drafts attached). For ease of interpretation, we have created 2 sub-models (centering gender and immigration, respectively) which summarize theorized pathways through which policy, community, organizational, and family-level factors influence young Latina women’s access to sexual healthcare services. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: The proposed research is significant because: (1) the state of AL experienced a dramatic increase in its Latino/a population over the last 15 years and adolescent Latinas in AL are disproportionately affected by sexual health disparities; (2) to our knowledge, this is the only study to examine the multilevel factors associated with sexual healthcare access for adolescent Latinas in the South and inform intervention strategies to promote sexual healthcare access in this population; (3) the work is being conducted under the philosophical lens of CBPR such that community members are involved in every step of the research process, resulting in culturally relevant and youth-specific intervention strategies.

Social Support, Health, and Health Care Access Among Latino Immigrant Men in an Emerging Community.

To determine the association of social support with alcohol abuse, depression, and health care access among Latino immigrant men in an emerging Latino community (an area with a small yet growing Latino population). Cross-sectional baseline data of 140 men prior to a participatory male-to-male community health worker intervention among Latino immigrants were analyzed using logistic regression. Community health workers recruited community participants in Western Pennsylvania between 2011 and 2013. Participants constituted a vulnerable group: 47% had not finished high school, 36% had moderate to severe depression, and 30% reported binge drinking in the past month. Health care access was low (insurance = 6%, usual source = 20%). In multivariable logistic regression high social support was associated with less binge drinking (odds ratio [OR] = 0.44; 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.20, 0.98]) and lower depression (OR = 0.22; 95% CI [0.09-0.54]). Social support was associated with having a dentist visit but not with other health care access measures. Results indicate that the role of social support seems important for drinking and depression but remains controversial for health care access. It raises the hypothesis that low social support may be one of the mechanisms for the increase in drinking that happens after immigration.

BOTÁNICAS UNPLUGGED: LATINOS’ RELIGIOUS HEALING AND THE IMPACT OF THE IMMIGRANT CONTINUUM

Background: Botánicas (literally botanies) are local dispensaries that offer spiritual, healing, and religious services to a mostly Latino and Caribbean population in the United States (U.S). Despite the vast literature on Latinos’ alternative medical systems, little is known on the role of the informal economy of healing in the urban milieu. This paper attempts to fill this vacuum by addressing the role of botánicas in meeting the religious healing and mental health needs of the growing Latino population in New York City (NYC).&#x0D; Materials and Methods: A two-stage ethnographic study on botánicas took place between 2004 and 2016 in NYC. During the first stage (2004–2006), a research team conducted participant observation and ethnographic mapping. This entailed the identification of two major concentrations of botánicas in Queens and the Bronx, with smaller clusters found in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Participant observation and in-depth interviews were conducted with fifty-six healers during this phase of the project, and thirty in-depth interviews were accomplished during the second phase (2014–2016), which focused on the products and services offered by botánicas in Queens. &#x0D; Results: Botánica providers and spiritual counselors construct a language of illness — supported by the sociosoma model — that calls attention to the contextual factors of distress, including the harmful effect of troubled relationships in Latinos’ lives. Most providers identified the “immigrant continuum” as one of the main causes of their patients’ suffering. In this vein, they highlighted the impact of Latinos’ undocumented status, family conflicts and financial concerns as key triggers of their deleterious mental health conditions. Participants also shared a holistic explanatory model of mental illness, which combines social stressors and divine causas (causes) as the main source of Latinos’ mental and emotional suffering. Two main ailments, depression and nervios (nervousness) were seen as complementary and closely related to the multifarious impact of the immigrant continuum in Latinos’ lives. These conditions were treated with natural medicines (e.g., herbs), informal counseling and religious ceremonies, such as prayer and ritual cleansing. &#x0D; Conclusion: The paper sheds light on the role of botánicas, and their providers, in supporting a shared language of illness among Latinos in the U.S. The prevalence of two mental ailments among Latinos, depression and nervios, informs culturally-based processes of diagnosis and treatment in an urban multiethnic milieu. The article ultimately highlights the need for additional theoretical models and empirical research focused on Latinos’ growing mental-health issues in the U.S.

Parent Training and Skill Acquisition and Utilization Among Spanish- and English-Speaking Latino Families

In the U.S., there is a growing Latino population, in which parents primarily speak Spanish to their children. Despite the evidence that language preference is associated with level of acculturation and influences parenting practices in these families, no study has compared how Spanish-and English-speaking Latino families acquire and utilize the skills taught during parent-training programs such as Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). Twenty-seven mother-infant Latino dyads received a home-based adaptation of the Child-Directed Interaction (CDI) phase of PCIT as part of a larger randomized control trial. Most infants were male (63%), and their average age was 13.7 months (SD = 1.43). Most families (52%) lived below the poverty line. The Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System-Third Edition (DPICS-III) was employed to evaluate PCIT skills at baseline and post-treatment, as well as at 3- and 6-month follow-up, assessments. We conducted multiple linear regression analyses among Spanish-speaking (55%) and English-speaking (45%) families to examine differences in acquisition and utilization of do and don't skills at each assessment while controlling for mother's education. Results yielded no group differences in the acquisition rate of do or don't skills at any time point. However, Spanish-speaking mothers used significantly more don't skills than English-speaking mothers at each assessment. Specifically, Spanish-speaking families used significantly more commands at baseline, post-treatment, and the 6-month followup assessments, as well as more questions at post-treatment and at the 6-month follow-up assessments. These findings highlight the importance of addressing cultural values such as respeto to ensure culturally robust parent-training programs for Latino families.

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OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: Alabama (AL) experienced a 145% increase in its Latino population between 2000 and 2010; making it the state with the second fastest growing Latino population in the United States (US) during that time. Adolescent Latinas in the US and in AL are disproportionately affected by sexual health disparities as evidenced by the disproportionate burden of HIV, STIs and early pregnancy compared with their non-Hispanic, White counterparts. Empirical data with adult Latinas in the southeast suggest significant barriers to sexual healthcare access. However, to our knowledge, no other researchers have examined barriers and facilitators to sexual healthcare access for this subpopulation. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine adolescent Latinas’ sexual healthcare needs through in-depth qualitative interviews. These qualitative interviews (phase 1 of a 3-phase study) will inform the development of community-driven, theory-based, culturally-relevant, multi-level intervention strategies to reduce sexual health disparities and increase sexual healthcare access for this group. Community-based participatory research (CBPR), which ensures equitable participation of stakeholder groups through partnerships, and the socioecological model of health, which conceptualizes the individual as nested within a set of social structures, provide the philosophical and theoretical frameworks for the work. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Between January and March of 2017, we will conduct 30 qualitative interviews with eligible adolescents who: self-identify as Latina, are between 15 and 19 years old, have been in the US for over 5 years, and live west AL. We will use venue-based, purposeful convenience sampling to recruit participants. We will manage and analyze the data with the qualitative software NVivo 10. We will use a multi-step, consensus-based process to code and analyze the interviews in the language in which they were conducted (ie, Spanish or English). We will maintain detailed audit trails during the analysis process and seek an inter-rater reliability of 0.85. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: We expect to identify barriers and facilitators to sexual healthcare services at distinct levels of the socioecological model of health. Study results and implications for practice in clinical settings will be discussed in detail. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: The proposed research is significant because (1) the state of AL experienced a dramatic increase in its Latino/a population over the last 15 years and adolescent Latinas in AL are disproportionately affected by sexual health disparities; (2) to our knowledge, this will be the first study to examine the multi-level factors associated with sexual healthcare access for adolescent Latinas in the South and inform intervention strategies to promote sexual healthcare access in this population; (3) the work will be conducted under the philosophical lens of CBPR such that community members will be involved in every step of the research process, resulting in culturally relevant intervention strategies.

Adenoma Prevalence and Distribution Among US Latino Subgroups Undergoing Screening Colonoscopy.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading malignancy diagnosed among US Latinos. Latinos in the USA represent a heterogeneous amalgam of subgroups varying in genetic background, culture, and socioeconomic status. Little is known about the frequency of CRC precursor lesions found at screening colonoscopy among Latino subgroups. The aim was to determine the prevalence and distribution of histologically confirmed adenomas found at screening colonoscopy among average-risk, asymptomatic US Latinos according to their subgroup and socio-demographic background. Cross-sectional analysis of pathological findings resulting from screening colonoscopy among average-risk, asymptomatic US Latinos aged ≥50 in two prospective randomized controlled trials at an academic medical center. Among the 561 Latinos who completed screening colonoscopy, the two largest subgroups were Puerto Ricans and Dominicans. The findings among both subgroups were: adenomas 30.6%, proximal adenomas 23.5%, advanced adenomas 12.0%, and proximal advanced adenomas 8.9%. These rates are at least as high as those found at screening colonoscopy among US whites. While Puerto Ricans were more likely than Dominicans to be born in the USA, speak English, be acculturated, have a smoking history, and be obese, there were no significant differences in adenoma rates between these subgroups. The prevalence of adenomas, advanced adenomas, and proximal neoplasia was high among both subgroups. These findings have implications for CRC screening and surveillance among the increasingly growing Latino population in the USA.

Degrees of Separation: Latino Students’ Transitions to a Texas HBCU

A successful transition to college is the foundation for future academic success, and this process is particularly important for a quickly growing Latino population. This qualitative study explored the transitional experiences of eight Latino students who enrolled in a historically Black university in Texas. Focusing specifically on their separation process, the findings reveal varying degrees of academic, social, cultural, and relational separation. Recommendations for practice and areas of future research are offered.

Poor HPV vaccine-related awareness and knowledge among Utah Latinas overdue for recommended cancer screenings.

Individuals overdue for recommended cancer screenings may not be receiving adequate cancer prevention education. Since Latinas have the highest incidence of cervical cancer among all racial/ethnic groups, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination education is especially important for this population. The correlates of HPV vaccine-related awareness and knowledge were assessed among Latinas who were overdue for recommended cancer screenings. N=206 Latinas who were overdue for recommended cancer screenings were recruited by health educators from local community groups. Bivariate analyses and multivariable regression models were used to investigate factors associated with HPV vaccine-related awareness and knowledge among participants as well as to assess correlates of HPV vaccine receipt for eligible children of participants. In multivariable regression analyses, years living in the U.S. (p=0.05) and health insurance status (p=0.03) were significantly related to HPV vaccine-related knowledge measures. Age (p<0.01), birthplace (p=0.02), years living in the U.S. (p=0.05), annual household income (p=0.05), cervical cancer screening status (p=0.03), and HPV vaccine-related knowledge measures (p<0.01) were significantly associated with HPV vaccination outcomes for eligible daughters of participants. Cervical cancer screening status (p=0.02) and HPV vaccine-related knowledge measures (p=0.01) were significantly associated with HPV vaccination outcomes for eligible sons of participants. Results indicate poor HPV vaccine-related awareness and knowledge among Latinas. Interventions to improve HPV vaccine-related awareness and knowledge in Utah's growing Latino population should target vulnerable individuals (e.g., not employed outside the home, less educated, less acculturated, poor, uninsured, overdue for cervical cancer screening) by using materials that are culturally sensitive, linguistically appropriate, and easily accessible.

An R&amp;D Approach to the Educational Challenges of the Growing Latino Population in the United States’ “New South”

The authors here outline three evidence-driven school-based initiatives of the Center for Latino Achievement and Success in Education at the University of Georgia: an afterschool program, culturally-responsive pedagogy training, and a longitudinal study of Latino students. All these initiatives focus on improving educational outcomes for Latino students throughout the state.

An R&amp;D Approach to the Educational Challenges of the Growing Latino Population in the United States’ “New South”

The authors here outline three evidence-driven school-based initiatives of the Center for Latino Achievement and Success in Education at the University of Georgia: an afterschool program, culturally-responsive pedagogy training, and a longitudinal study of Latino students. All these initiatives focus on improving educational outcomes for Latino students throughout the state.

Birth Experiences of Immigrant Latina Women in a New Growth Community.

A woman's birth experience can impact the physical and mental well-being of mothers long after the birth of their child. Little is known about the experiences of Latina women in areas with small, yet growing Latino populations. To understand Latina's perceptions of their childbirth experience and to see how insurance status impacts that experience, we conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with a non-proportional quota sampling of ten Latina women, five with and five without health insurance. Most women reported a positive global experience; the birth of a healthy child was the most important factor influencing birth experiences for all of them. Locus of control and support from medical providers and loved ones also shaped experiences. Uninsured women reported lower levels of perceived control and support, which did impact their birthing experience. These differences could be influenced by social status and position. Medical provider, hospital, and policy recommendations are made which could lead to improvements in uninsured Latinas' childbirth experiences.

Spanish-English Bilingual Social Workers: Meeting the Linguistic Needs of Latino/a Clients

Speaking with clients in Spanish is one aspect of providing culturally appropriate services among the growing Latino population in the United States; however, the lack of Spanish-English bilingual social workers in rural communities in the Midwest necessitates an examination of social service providers. In this practice corner article, the author (a) reviews background information on bilingual social workers and (b) examines social service providers in the state of Minnesota who employ bilingual social workers. One significant implication is social service providers collaborating with social work educators in the development of specific curricula for students who will work with Latino clients.