Population Of Hispanic Origin Research Articles

COVID-19 pandemic's disproportionate impact on childhood bereavement for youth of color: Reflections and recommendations.

The COVID-19 pandemic devastated public welfare worldwide, bringing excess deaths connected to causes such as homicide, substance abuse, and heart disease. In the U.S., these mortality increases disproportionally impacted communities of color and contributed to a rise in bereavement among adults and children. The death of an important person is one of the most frequently reported disruptive childhood experiences. According to 2023 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model (CBEM) results, one in 14 U.S. children will experience the death of a parent by age 18. The current study analyzes the impact of the pandemic on childhood bereavement due to parent death by comparing CBEM results for 2021 and 2020 to the average of annual results for 2016 through 2019 for combined U.S. Census race and Hispanic origin categories. Analyses demonstrate that more than 700,000 U.S. children were newly bereaved due to a parent's death in 2020 and 2021. 2020 increases were observed for each race and Hispanic origin population, ranging from 14.9% to 72.4% compared to the 2016-2019 annual average. Hispanic Asian Pacific Islander and Hispanic Black youth experienced the largest percentage increases, while non-Hispanic white youth experienced the smallest. The results contribute to the growing evidence documenting longstanding and enduring disparities in critical U.S. health outcomes based on race and Hispanic origin. Recommendations for the scale and focus of efforts to understand and address bereavement in a way that accommodates the rising need for support in diverse populations to help all bereaved children find hope and healing are offered.

Cervical Cancer Screening and Sexual Risky Behaviors among a Population of Hispanic Origin

ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence of cervical cancer screening through Papanicolaou (Pap) test utilization and its association with sexual behaviors among a population-based sample of Hispanic women in Puerto Rico (PR). MethodsThis study was a secondary data analysis of the database of a cross-sectional study of HPV infection in PR (2010–2013; n = 554 women). Pap test utilization (past 3 years) was self-reported and sexual risky behavior was defined as an index that considered the following sexual behaviors: early age of sexual debut (≤16 years), 11 or more lifetime sexual partners, and 2 or more sexual partners in the last year. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the magnitude of the association between sexual risk behavior and Pap test utilization, after adjusting for socioeconomic and lifestyles characteristics. ResultsThe overall prevalence of Pap test utilization was 78.0%. Pap test screening varied with sexual behavior, with women with none or one risky sexual behavior having higher odds of Pap test utilization in the past 3 years (odds ratio [OR], 1.74; 95% CI, 1.03–2.93) compared with those with two or three risky sexual behaviors. This difference remained marginally significant (p < .10) after adjusting for age, educational attainment, smoking status and STI history (OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 0.96–3.08). ConclusionsThe prevalence of cervical cancer screening in this population (78%) is still below Healthy People 2020 recommendations (93%). Also, women with risky sexual behaviors are less likely to have been screened. Efforts to promote cervical screening programs should focus on these high-risk women as a method for cervical cancer prevention and control.

Abstract B29: Case-control study of metabolic syndrome and breast cancer in Puerto Rico

Abstract Background: Breast cancer is the leading cancer type among women in the United States (US) and Puerto Rico (PR); incidence rates of breast cancer have increased in both of these populations in the last decades. In fact, Puerto Rico has highest prevalence of diabetes among all US states and territories. Diabetes, obesity and the metabolic syndrome (MS) are rapidly increasing in Hispanic populations, and research on the impact of these conditions on breast cancer among Hispanics is scarce. Objectives: This study assessed the association of MS with breast cancer among Hispanic women in PR. The secondary aim was to assess the association of the individual components of the MS (hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, abdominal obesity and elevated blood pressure) with breast cancer. Methods: A matched clinic-based case-control study of 226 Hispanic women was performed between 2011 and 2013. One hundred thirteen cases and 113 controls were recruited in four clinics/hospitals in Puerto Rico and were individually matched by age (±5 years), menopausal status and recruitment site (response rate of 83% for cases and 84% of controls). Data collection procedures included a structured questionnaire, anthropometric and blood pressure measurements. According to the AHA/NHLBI definition, a woman was defined to have the MS if she had at least 3 of the following risk factors: waist circumference ≥35 inches, 2) triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL, 3) HDL &amp;lt;50 mg/dL, 4) blood pressure ≥130/85 mm Hg and 5) fasting glucose ≥100 mg/dL. Conditional logistic regression models were used to describe the association of the MS and its individual components with breast cancer. Results: Mean age of participants was 54.5 ±12.6 years. Prevalence of the MS was 53.2% among cases and 42.0% among controls. No significant differences were observed between cases and controls with regard to income, health care coverage, parity or smoking habits. Nonetheless, cases had significantly (p&amp;lt;0.05) lower educational attainment than controls. After adjusting for educational attainment, the MS was marginally (p=0.09) associated with higher odds of breast cancer (OR=1.82, 95% CI=0.92-3.61). Elevated fasting glucose (OR=1.74, 95% CI=0.94-3.23, p=0.08) was also marginally associated to higher odds of breast cancer; however, high triglycerides (OR=1.22, 95% CI=0.67-2.20), elevated blood pressure (OR=1.68, 95% CI=0.88-3.18, p=0.11), elevated waist circumference (OR=1.55, 95% CI=0.86-2.81) and low HDL-C (OR=1.01, 95% CI=0.56-1.81) were not significantly associated with breast cancer. Conclusions: This pilot study found marginal evidence of an association of the MS and elevated fasting glucose with breast cancer in a population of Hispanic origin. Future studies should assess this association using a larger sample size and considering the impact of tumor subtypes on breast cancer risk. Grant Support: The project was supported by U54CA96297 and U54CA96300 from the UPR/MDACC Partnership for Excellence in Cancer Research, NCI &amp; by the RCMI-Clinical Research Center grant G12RR03051 from the UPR Medical Sciences Campus. Citation Format: Ana Patricia Ortiz, Cynthia Perez, Edna Mora, Damarys Santiago, Carola T. Sánchez, Cristina Muñoz, Marievelisse Soto, Mong-Hong Lee. Case-control study of metabolic syndrome and breast cancer in Puerto Rico. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Sixth AACR Conference: The Science of Cancer Health Disparities; Dec 6–9, 2013; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B29. doi:10.1158/1538-7755.DISP13-B29

Abstract 3610: Cervical cancer screening and sexual risky behaviors among a population of Hispanic origin.

Abstract Background: Cervical cancer is the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer in women living in Puerto Rico (PR). The leading cause of cervical cancer is infection with high-risk types of human papilloma virus (HPV). Thus, women with risky sexual behaviors may be at high risk of HPV infection, which in turn, increase the risk of cervical cancer. Pap-test screening has demonstrated to be effective in reducing the burden of cervical cancer, although its use has been observed to vary among certain population subgroups, including Hispanics. Objective: This study assessed the prevalence of cervical cancer screening utilization and its association with sexual behaviors among a population-based sample of Hispanic women in PR. Methods: This study was a secondary data analysis of the database of an ongoing cross-sectional study of HPV infection in PR (2010-2012). The study group was identified through a complex sampling design of households in the San Juan Metropolitan Area, and included non-institutionalized women aged 16-64 years old residing in this area. The data were collected by means of personalized and computer assisted interviews. Sexual risky behavior was defined as an index that considered the following sexual behaviors: early age of sexual debut (≤15 years), ≥11 lifetime sexual partners and ≥2 sexual partners in the last year. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) to determine the strength of the association between sexual risk behavior and Pap test utilization, after adjusting for socioeconomic characteristics. Results: Mean age of participants was 43.1±13.1 years, 70.5% had achieved less than bachelor's degree education and 9.43% had no health care coverage. Overall, 78.9% of respondents reported to have had a Pap test within the last 3 years. Multivariate logistic regression showed that women with two or three risky sexual behaviors were less likely to have had a Pap test within the past 3 years (OR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.23, 0.88) when compared to those with none or one risky sexual behavior, after adjusting for age, educational attainment, smoking status and STI history. Conclusions: The prevalence of cervical cancer screening in this population is still below Healthy People 2020 recommendations (93%). Our study results also suggest that women with risky sexual behavior at high risk for HPV infection and cervical cancer development) are less likely to use cervical cancer screening. Efforts to promote cervical screening programs should focus on these high risk women, as a method for cervical cancer prevention and control. Citation Format: Daisy Gonzalez, Erick Suarez, Cynthia M. Perez, Marievelisse Soto-Salgado, Edmir Marrero, Ana P. Ortiz. Cervical cancer screening and sexual risky behaviors among a population of Hispanic origin. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3610. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3610

Cruzando fronteras. La reformulación de la latinidad al norte del Río Grande

This paper describes the evolution and characteristics of the population of Hispanic origin living in the United States. Its evolution in the last decades and the main tendencies observed are analysed from official data and other secondary sources. This will enable to outline the prevailing profile of this varied group, their social position and the processes they are immersed in. The generated dynamics affect both poles (immigrants and their offspring and the American world) and aim to reconsider the Latin American character in this context.

Hispanic/Latino Health Issues Seminars: A Holistic Approach to Increasing Cultural Competency among Health Care Professionals

The Hispanic/Latino population, the largest minority group in the United States, grew by an additional 4.6 million individuals from 2000 to the present. This represents a 12.2% increase.1 It is estimated that by 2050, the Hispanic-origin population will increase to 25% and the non-Hispanic white population will decline to 53% of the total United States population, with over half the Hispanic/Latino population settling into non-traditional communities.2,3 Concerns regarding the increasing Hispanic/Latino population include language barriers and access to quality health care and the need to educate healthcare professionals on health issues, cultural sensitivity and diversity.

Salt-Wasting Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: Detection of Mutations in CYP21B Gene in a Chilean Population1

The steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD) is the most frequent cause of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. We have characterized the disease-causing mutations in the 21-hydroxylase genes of 63 patients with salt-wasting congenital adrenal hyperplasia from a Chilean population of Hispanic origin, a group that has been scarcely evaluated. Using allele-specific PCR, lesions were identified in 97 chromosomes out of 126 tested (77%). The most frequent findings were the gene deletion or large gene conversion (LGC) = 22.9%, I2 splice = 19%, R357W = 12.7%, and Q319X = 10.5%. We did not find alleles with the mutation F308insT and we found three alleles with the cluster E6. The frequency of the point mutation R357W was at least two times more frequent than the one found in Caucasians populations, but similar to that communicated in Asian populations; this finding may be explained by the Asian ancestry of our South-Amerindian population. The frequency of Q319X was also high, similar only to those patients studied in Italy and in a neighboring Argentinian population. In summary, this is a genetic characterization of 21OHD made in an almost pure Hispanic population in Latin America. The high frequency of deletion of CYP21B gene, I2 splice, R357W, and Q319X mutations probably reflects the European-Caucasian-Spanish influence of the conquerors, mixed with Amerindians of Asian ancestry and modulated by other European immigrations.

Education's Hispanic Challenge

Thirty years of increasing immigration from Mexico, Central America, and South America, has led to a rapid increase in the population of Hispanic origin in the United States. Hispanic children and youths will enter an economy that has changes significantly over the past few decades. The number of well-paying manufacturing jobs that have been the backbone of the U.S. economy are stagnating and are projected to provide employment for only 11 percent of the economy by 2005 (U.S. Department of Labor, 1995). The service related jobs that are replacing them require a level of knowledge and skill that, for the most part, require at least some college. Indeed, acquiring at least one or two years of postsecondary education following high school graduation has become a prerequisite for competing in today's U.S. labor market and assure oneself an adequate living wage. Today, nearly all new net jobs created by the economy are being filled by workers with less than a high school education has declined by 41 percent since 1970. Also, the number of jobs filled by high school graduates has increased by only 3 percent since 1980, compared to an increase of 19 percent for the economy as a whole. At the same time, wages of workers with a high school degree or less have declined steadily since 1970, while the earnings of those with some college education or a college degree have held their own or increased slightly (McCarthy and Vernez, 1997). If these trends continue, youths-including Hispanic youths-who enter the labor market without at least some college will continuously lose ground throughout their lifetime. These trends present a dual challenge for U.S. schools, colleges, and universities. They not only face a growing demand from an increasingly larger cohort of students entering kindergarten, attending high school, and eventually college, but they must also face the need to upgrade the educational attainment of those students who are lagging, most particularly Black and Hispanic children who account for more than 25 percent of all students entering primary schools in the United States today. This paper documents the nature of this dual challenge. The first section describes the trends and characteristics of the Hispanic population. The second section documents the extent to which the native-born Hispanic population, particularly that of Mexican origin, continues to lag in educational attainment not only Asians and Non-Hispanics Whites, but African Americans as well. Section 3 outlines questions that must be answered in order to address the Hispanic education challenge.

Sources of Energy and Six Nutrients in Diets of Low-Income Hispanic-American Women and their Children: Quantitative Data from HHANES, 1982-1984

Objective Identification of important food sources of energy, protein, fat, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron for low-income Hispanic women and their children. Design A subset of 24-hour recalls from the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES), a sample representing 76% of the Hispanic-origin population, provides the most comprehensive examination of Hispanic food habits in the United States. Subjects/samples The sample, which approximates the population of the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), included 1,046 17- to 34-year-old women with household income less than 185% of poverty level and their 1- to 5-year-old children (n=1,063). Main outcome measures Tables show the percentage that each food contributes to total intake of energy and six nutrients for women and for children and percentage of persons who reported consuming each food during a 24-hour period. Results Cultural foods contributed less to the energy and nutrient intake of the population than expected, with few exceptions, notably beans, rice, tortillas, and salsa. Major sources of energy and nutrients were similar to those seen for blacks and whites in the second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1976-1980). Applications The data presented should be useful to researchers designing dietary assessment instruments and to nutrition educators designing or adapting educational materials. The data may be of particular interest to WIC staff who work with low-income Hispanic populations. J Am Diet Assoc. 1995;95: 195-208.

The Political Economy of the U.S.-Mexico Free Trade Agreement: Analysis of the Congressional Fast Track Vote

AbstractThis paper presents an empirical analysis of the strategic forces shaping U.S.-Mexico trade relationships and the possibilities of extending the trade agreement to the rest of the Americas. The paper concludes that constituency interests, party loyalty, the proportion of a state's population of Hispanic origin, and the influence of textile-related employment in the state were significant explanatory factors in the Congressional Fast Track vote that occurred in May of 1991.

Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: methodological considerations.

The Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES) was the first special population survey undertaken by the National Center for Health Statistics. The HHANES was designed to assess the health and nutritional status and needs of Mexican Americans, mainland Puerto Ricans and Cuban Americans. Data were collected using five data collection techniques: direct physical examinations, diagnostic testing, anthropometry, laboratory analyses, and interviews. Unlike other surveys conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, the HHANES was not designed as a national survey. The HHANES was a survey of three Hispanic subgroups of the population in selected areas of the United States with a survey universe that included approximately 76 percent of the 1980 Hispanic-origin population in the United States. This article discusses statistical issues that should be addressed by researchers when analyzing HHANES data. Specifically, analysts need to account for the complex sample design, nonresponse bias, potential non-coverage bias, and the regional nature of the HHANES sample.

The Elderly of Hispanic Origin: Population Characteristics for 1980

Recent demographic trends among the elderly Hispanic-origin population in the United States are analyzed by major subgroup, including Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Cuban. Data are from a variety of official sources, including the 1980 census. The author suggests that many of the observed variations in socioeconomic and health-related factors are due primarily to the minority status of such groups rather than to cultural differences.

Mexican-American folk belief in a pediatric emergency room.

The pattern, extent and patient care implications of medical folk belief in the Mexican-American population utilizing a pediatric emergency room were assessed. The parents of caretakers of 85 randomly selected patients were interviewed in the emergency room waiting area. The extent of knowledge and family history of four traditional folk diseases (magical fright, evil eye, surfeit, and fallen fontanelle) were determined, as was the utitlization of folk healers. The proportion of individuals with traditional knowledge varied with the specific folk disease and with demographic characteristics. Those born in Mexico were more likely to have knowledge of folk disease symptoms and treatment. Of 43 patients who had received treatment prior to coming to the emergency room, 13 had received an herbal folk remedy prescribed by a family member. Twenty-eight reported previous use of folk healers for pediatric illness although none had sought such care for the present illness. Of 57 informants who offered a cause for the child's present illness, two named a folk disease. Mexican-American folk belief is common in the population of Hispanic origin who utilize this pediatric emergency room. The illness for which care is sought, however, is felt to be amenable to scientific care and therfore medical folk belief is not often a clinically relevant factor in the emergency room setting.