Reuters Health, October 19, 2018.
(Reuters Health) – Hispanics in the U.S. have lower rates of death from heart disease overall than non-Hispanic whites, except in communities where Hispanics make up most of the population, a recent study finds.
“Given the residential racial/ethnic segregation across communities in the U.S. and the fact that localities with a higher share of Hispanics/Latinos also tend to have higher rates of uninsurance and poor quality healthcare, people living in these communities are more likely to experience barriers, including affordability and geographic access, in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease,” said Dima Qato, a researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago who wasn’t involved in the study.
“We need to do more in these communities to better ensure they have better access to insurance, primary healthcare services, and essential medicines specifically for cardiovascular care,” Qato said by email.