Draco Rosa, Puerto Rican singer-songwriter, faced concerns about cancer but recently underwent tests that showed that he was cancer free; Elizabeth Vargas revealed a bout with alcoholism when she returned to ABC after time spent in rehab; and Selena Gomez voiced her battles with the auto-immune disease lupus and recently departed from a rehabilitation clinic, claiming anxiety. The health concerns of Latinos, across the board, are a great point of interest in this nation.

Fine points regarding Latino health has been revealed in multiple studies over the last number of years, and the public has become privy to information regarding conditions and diseases that most affect the Latino community.

The University of Chicago held the "largest-ever" study of Latinos' health, which led to revelations about issues and risk factors; Cancer.org shared a report that provided updated knowledge on cancer disparities, socioeconomic status relevancy and types of cancer that most afflict Latinos; and Albert Einstein College of Medicine created a study that presented initial findings for Hispanic/Latinos, concerning heart, blood and lung related health.

"We now know, for example, that one-third of the participants have pre-diabetes," said Dr. Martha Daviglus, director of the University of Illinois at Chicago's Institute for Minority Health Research and principal investigator for the Chicago portion of the study. "By educating and informing our participants and Hispanics/Latinos everywhere through the sharing of these new data, people can begin to make educated choices about their health."

UIC reported that 80 percent of men and 71 percent of women had at least one adverse risk factor for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes or smoking. Also, the percentage of those with adverse risk factors and obesity was higher among all Hispanic/Latino groups, but lowest among participants of South American origin. Almost half of participants ages 65-74 had diabetes, yet younger participants had few cases of diabetes, though research did show that half of the men and women with diabetes had their diabetes under control. Additionally, men were more likely to eat enough fruits and vegetables each day, especially those age 45-64, and Latinas are more like report symptoms of depression than men. In Chicago, particularly, almost half of participants age 45-64 were at high risk for diabetes and one in three participants with diabetes were unaware.

Summaries of Latino health also addressed that Latinas were less likely to have high blood pressure; nearly 40 percent of participants between of ages 18-44 were obese and, on average, women ages 45-64 spent only nine minutes each day in recreational physical activity.

"This study is so important because the Hispanic/Latino population is the fastest growing population in the U.S., and we need to know and document their health problems to better serve their health-care needs going forward," Daviglus said. "This study is the foundation for those efforts."

Albert Einstein College of Medicine, one of four U.S. field sites for landmark study, communicated that one in every six people in the U.S. is Hispanic/Latino, and they collectively live longer than non-Hispanic whites (81.4 years vs. 78.8 years). They also reported that the percentage of people who reported having asthma ranged from 7.4 (Mexican) to 35.8 (Puerto Rican); the percentage of individuals who had pre-diabetes ranged from 32.1 (Dominican) to 37.7 (Mexican); the percent of people eating 5 or more fruits/vegetables a day ranged from 19.2 (Puerto Rican) to 55.0 (Cuban); and the average minutes of daily recreational activity ranged from 17.7 (Cuban) to 28.3 (Puerto Rican).

"While many trends are consistent across all four field sites, there are clear differences between participants in each city -- and more importantly, between each Hispanic group," said Robert Kaplan, Ph.D., professor of epidemiology & population health and principal investigator for HCHS/SOL at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, which established and operates the Bronx field center.

The college of medicine, which functions as a part of Yeshiva University, disclosed that there are significant variations in disease prevalence and health behaviors among different national backgrounds.

"Teasing out these variations can help clinicians, public health advocates and members of the community focus their energies in the right places," explained Dr. Kaplan, who also holds the Dorothy and William Manealoff Foundation and Molly Rosen Chair in Social Medicine at Einstein. "Ultimately, we hope to uncover the key factors that can lead to improved health for all Hispanics."

Cancer Facts & Figures for Hispanics/Latinos 2012-2014 showed that prostate and breast cancer were the types of cancer that most affect Latino men and Latina women (29 percent), and lung and bronchus (18 percent) and breast cancer (15 percent) were the cancers that caused the highest rates of death. Colon and rectum cancer also greatly affects Latino males and females, in regards to new cases found and fatalities.

About 53,600 new cancer cases in men and 59,200 cases in women are expected to be diagnosed among Hispanics in 2012. Latino males are more likely to be afflicted with cancer than Latinas, but both are less likely to have cancer than non-Hispanic white males and females.

Early detection saves lives when it comes to cancer or any other health concerns that may be influencing the Latino population. Screenings, self-examinations, accessing health care, leading an active life, eating well, and abstaining from unhealthy practices can reverse health risks and lead to long prosperous lives for the entire population.

Related