Meet Your New Clients: Hispanics/Latinos

Webinar Presented by theNational Hispanic and Latino

Addiction Technology Transfer Center

April 25, 2013

Presenter:

Luis R. Torres, PhDUniversity of Houston Graduate College of Social Work

Who is Hispanic/Latino

– A person of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race. The term, “Spanish origin,” can be used in addition to “Hispanic or Latino” (OMB Definition)

– A person of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race (Census Definition)

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NationalNumbers

• 52 million (June 2012); 17% Population – Median Age 27

• 47.5 % increase between 2000 and 2011• 133 million by 2050 (30% of U.S. population)• 63% are of Mexican American decent (2010)

– Other groups: Puerto Ricans, Salvadorans, Cubans, Dominicans, Guatemalans, Colombians, Hondurans, Ecuadorians, Peruvians (10 largest groups) http://www.pewhispanic.org/2012/06/27/the-10-largest-hispanic-origin-groups-characteristics-rankings-top-counties/

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012

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NationalIncome, Poverty, and Health Insurance

• 2011 Median HH Income : $39K ($54.4K White) – Native-born $42.4K, Foreign-born $35.9K

• 2011 Poverty Rate: 25.9% (11% White) – Native-born 25.9%, Foreign-born 25.8%

• 2011 W/out health insurance: 30% (11% White)– Native-born 18%, Foreign-born 51%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 20124

NationalFamilies and Children

• 10.5 million Hispanic households in in 2011– 63% married couples (2-parent homes)– 39% consist of a married couple younger than 18

• 75% Speak language other than English at home

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 20125

NationalEducation

• 27% of Hispanics 25 and older had at least a high school education in 2011 (29% White)

• 13% of Hispanics 25 and older had a bachelors degree or higher in 2011 (32% White)

• 20% of elementary and high school students are Hispanic

• 25% of Children enrolled in Head Start and Early Head Start are Hispanic

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U.S. Hispanic Population

Source: Ennis, Sharon R., Merarys Ríos-Vargas, and Nora G. Albert. “The Hispanic Population: 2010”. U.S. Census Bureau. May 2011 “<http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-04.pdf.>

New Destination States

1. North Carolina

2. Georgia3. Arkansas4. Tennessee5. Nevada6. South

Carolina7. Kentucky8. Nebraska9. Alabama10. Utah

Why do the stats matter???

• More than 60% of Latino youth live in low-income families, compared to 26% of non-Hispanic White children 

• Low socioeconomic standing makes it difficult for Latino children to receive the mental health care they need

• Hispanic children are the least likely of any minority demographic to receive mental health care services

National Center for Children and Poverty, 20129

Case Vignette

• Latino/a Heterogeneity: Frieda– What cultures, languages, faiths, and multigenerational issues

are depicted in the vignette?– What substance use and mental health issues are depicted? – What strengths do you see that you can use in working with

this family?

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Hispanic Health Disparities: Risk Factors for Mental Health, Substance Abuse,

Family Violence, And Other Health Issues

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What are “health disparities”?

• Health disparities are differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of diseases and other adverse health conditions that exist among specific population groups in the United States (NIH, 1999)

• A population is a health disparity population if there is a significant disparity in the overall rate of disease incidence, prevalence, morbidity, mortality or survival rates in the population as compared to the health status of the general population (Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education Act, United States Public Law 106-525 (2000), p. 2498)

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Disproportionate Higher Rates: Health Conditions

• Diabetes • Hypertension• High Cholesterol• Metabolic syndrome• HIV

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Disproportionate Higher Rates: Mental Health Conditions

• Substance Abuse, Depression, Anxiety, Adolescent Suicide (Latinas)

• On the rise: Impulse Control Disorders, Dysthymia, PTSD, Eating Disorders

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Risk Factors

• Cultural values, beliefs, attitudes and traditions

• Acculturation• Lack of insurance coverage• Misdiagnosis• Lower socioeconomic status• Stigma and Discrimination• Poverty • Legal Status

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Strengths of the Latino Population

• Deep religious faith and strong family orientation • High value placed on children • Extended family network• High overall literacy rate• Incomes among the Hispanic population have and

tend to improve over the years• Most Hispanics immigrants come to the United States

because they are highly motivated to work and improve their lives

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Thank You!

»Luis R. Torres, PhD»LRTorres@uh.edu

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