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MMWR
Synopsis for October 15, 2004

The MMWR is embargoed until Thursday, 12 PM EDT.

  1. Health Disparities Experienced by Hispanics ― United States
  2. Access to Health-Care and Preventive Services Among Hispanics and Non Hispanics ― United States, 2001-2002
  3. Prevalence of Diabetes Among Hispanics ― United States, 1998-2002
  4. Assessment of Increase in Perinatal Exposure to HIV Among Hispanics ― 20 Countries, Georgia, 1994-2002
  5. Effect of Revised Population Counts on County-Level Hispanic Teen Birth Rates ― United States, 1999
  6. West Nile Virus Activity ― United States, October 6-12, 2004
No MMWR Telebriefing is scheduled for Thursday, October 14, 2004

Synopsis for October 15, 2004

Health Disparities Experienced by Hispanics ―
United States

PRESS CONTACT:
Division of Media Relations

CDC, Office of Communications
(404) 639-3286

 

No summary available.

 

 

 

 

Access to Health-Care and Preventive Services Among Hispanics and Non Hispanics ― United States, 2001-2002

Hispanics are less likely to seek and receive health-care services, which may contribute to their poorer health status and higher rates of morbidity and mortality. Strategies to reduce barriers to health-care and preventive services must be implemented among Hispanics.

PRESS CONTACT:
Balluz, Lina, Sc.D.,MPH

Office of Communication
CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
(770) 488-5131

 

Hispanic adults are less likely to seek and receive health-care services, which may contribute to their poorer health status and higher rates of morbidity and mortality, when compared to non-Hispanics. Hispanic respondents to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) were less likely to have health care coverage (76.2% vs. 90.6%) and more likely to have needed medical care and not been able to obtain it (6.5% vs. 5 %). Hispanics also were less likely to have received cancer screenings, blood cholesterol screening, or recommended immunizations. The lower prevalence of health-care access among Hispanics can be explained, in part, by the obstacles that they face such as cultural differences between them and their health-care provider, language barriers, and the administrative complexity of health plans.

 

Prevalence of Diabetes Among Hispanics ―
United States, 1998-2002

An estimated total of 41 million persons in the United States are at high risk for diabetes. However, an individual can prevent or delay his or her risk of developing diabetes through lifestyle habits such as healthy eating, modest weight loss and moderate-intensity physical activity (e.g., walking for 30 minutes, 5 days a week).

PRESS CONTACT:
Burrows, Rios Nilka, MPH

Office of Communication
CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
(770) 488-5131

 

Diabetes disproportionately affects Hispanics in the US and Puerto Rico. Hispanics were twice as likely to have diabetes as non-Hispanic whites of similar age (9.8% vs. 5.0%). This disparity, however, varied by geographic location—it was lowest in Florida and higher in California, Texas, and Puerto Rico. Among Hispanic adults in California, Florida, Illinois, New York/New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and Texas, the overall prevalence of diabetes was 7.4%; it ranged from 6.2% in Illinois and New York/New Jersey to 9.3% in Puerto Rico. After accounting for the different age distributions of the Hispanic and non-Hispanic white populations, diabetes prevalence among Hispanics was almost twice that among non-Hispanic whites (9.8% vs. 5.0%). This disparity, however, varied by geographic location—it was lowest in Florida and higher in California, Texas, and Puerto Rico.

 

Assessment of Increase in Perinatal Exposure to HIV Among Hispanics ― 20 Countries, Georgia, 1994-2002

Data released today by the CDC suggests that some Hispanic infants are at significantly higher risk of perinatal HIV exposure than infants of other races/ethnicities.

PRESS CONTACT:
Asamoa, Kwame, MD, MSc.

Office of Communication
National Center for HIV, STD and TB, Prevention
(404) 639-8895

 

In the greater Atlanta area between 1994 and 2002, there was a nine-fold increase in the number of perinatally HIV-exposed Hispanic babies. While the numbers remain small, Hispanic babies represented 1 of 96 perinatally exposed infants in 1994 and increased to 10 of 95 in 2002. Similar increases were not seen among infants of other races. In this study, actual perinatal HIV infections did not increase, mirroring the downward national trend in that occurred during this time period. The increase in HIV-exposure among Hispanic babies is likely due to several factors, including an increased fertility rate among Hispanic women. When compared to other racial/ethnic groups, Hispanics are also more likely to be diagnosed late in the course of infection and less likely to have health insurance. Authors note that increased access to HIV testing both before conception and during pregnancy could help further drive down perinatal HIV infection rates.

 

Effect of Revised Population Counts on County-Level Hispanic Teen Birth Rates ― United States, 1999

Although Hispanic teen birth rates for the United States and in most counties were adjusted downward as a result of the revised populations based on the 2000 census, rates did not change the same for all counties. However, whatever the change, the adjusted overall Hispanic teen birth rate is still higher than for all other racial and ethnic populations.

PRESS CONTACT:
Hamilton, E. Brady, Ph.D.

Office of Communication
CDC, National Center for Health Statistics
(301) 458-4800

 

Hispanic teen birth rates remain the highest of any racial or ethnic group in the United States. Although Hispanic teen birth rates for the United States and in most counties in 1990, for example, were adjusted downward as a result of the revised populations based on the 2000 census, rates did not change the same for all counties. To better understand the current pattern and trends in Hispanic births, it is important to utilize the latest population estimates. However, users of birth rates and other population-based data need to understand the reasons for, and assess the potential effects of, revised population estimates.

 

West Nile Virus Activity ― United States,
October 6-12, 2004

PRESS CONTACT:
Division of Media Relations

CDC, Office of Communications
(404) 639-3286
 

No summary available.

 

 

 

 


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