Updated 6:15 p.m.

A new study finds that the rate of chronic illnesses among Latinos is rising across the nation, which could have severe economic implications in the near future.

The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) released on Tuesday a new survey on Latino health issues. They survey found that Latinos with or without health insurance were more likely to have diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and asthma and were more likely to have fewer options to manage such diseases.

Many obstacles prevent Latinos from receiving adequate care, such as less transportation to and from health clinics, language and cultural barriers, and discrimination.

The report, produced with help from Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc. and public health consulting firm John Snow Inc., surveyed more than 1,000 patients from eight organizations affiliated with NCLR. The survey spanned four states and the District of Columbia and was conducted between June and August of last year. The respondents were Latinos between 18 and 64 years old.

Latinos are one of the fastest-growing populations in the U.S. and will represent one-third of U.S. workers by 2050. Therefore, it is imperative that these issues be addressed early.

NCLR Senior Vice President of Programs Delia Pompa said in a news release that America's future is closely tied to the well-being of the Latino population.

"The ability of our nation to meet the economic demands of the future is closely tied to the health of this community," Pompa said. "Affordable health insurance and access to high-quality medical care and information is vital to improving their lives."

In the survey, 60 percent of respondents said a doctor had told them they have a chronic illness. Twenty-five percent of those respondents had visited an emergency room for a chronic disease in the last year, and about 75 percent were overweight or obese.

NCLR reports that more than 75 percent of American health care expenditures are focused on "widespread chronic conditions, many of which are largely preventable."

Manuela McDonough, associate director of the Institute for Hispanic Health at NCLR, told Latin Post the biggest risk factors Latinos face are lack of access to affordable, quality health care and inconsistent doctor visits.

"More than twice as many (33%) Latinos younger than age 65 lack health insurance compared to non-Hispanics (14%)," she told Latin Post.

She said Latinos also face many social anxieties daily that hinder healthy lifestyles.

"Research demonstrates that poverty, income and wealth inequality, racism, sex discrimination, and low socioeconomic conditions are risk factors for poor health," she said, in line with the survey results.

She also said there are "inadequate intervention efforts," which the survey noted as well.

"Hispanics are less likely than non-Hispanics to be reached by mainstream health education, promotion, and disease prevention messages, which tend to reach middle-class, well-insured, English-speaking people," she added, as the survey notes as well.

Some of the clinics the respondents sought out are in underserved areas. However, poverty, income and cultural beliefs about certain procedures, such as mammograms, contribute to the high numbers of Latinos with such diseases, regardless of coverage.

Even if more Latinos get health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, many still can't or won't access health care. Also, community centers need to meet the demands of Latinos seeking coverage, such as by having more bilingual staff members.

However, providers believe the Affordable Care Act will allow more Latinos to obtain access to health coverage.

Camila Gallardo, associate director of communications at NCLR, told Latin Post health clinics are underfunded because they are not receiving sufficient funds from the government.

"While the ACA [Affordable Care Act] has allocated a funding stream for federally qualified health centers, NCLR is concerned this will still not meet the demand of the growing and aging Latino population in this country. More private and public funding needs to be dedicated to these clinics for this to be rectified," Gallardo said.

In the report, NCLR recommended encouraging the use of promotores, health promoters in Latino communities who can offer services and education to people to help manage chronic diseases.

"Using trusted members of the community, like promotores de salud, to help with outreach and education around getting health insurance coverage among the Latino community is an effective strategy we need to promote and fund," Gallardo added.

NCLR is holding its annual conference at the Los Angeles Convention Center this week to discuss this topic, among a host of other issues affecting the Latino community.