Residents of U.S. neighborhoods with high concentrations of Latino residents often face significant socioeconomic challenges, including less access to health care, a study led by a UT Southwestern Medical Center researcher shows.
The findings, published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine , highlight the need for more inclusive health policies to serve the nation's fastest-growing ethnic group. "Ultimately, our results showed that Hispanic or Latino enclaves face significant disadvantages that could affect residents' health. These are important things to consider to really understand our community members and to help meet their needs," said study leader Sandi Pruitt, Ph.
D., Professor in the Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health and Associate Director of Community Outreach, Engagement, and Equity in the Harold C.
Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center at UT Southwestern. The U.S.
Census Bureau estimates that more than 65 million Latinos live in the U.S. Many reside in ethnic enclaves, distinct geographic areas where specific ethnic groups are clustered.
Although Latino enclaves foster social cohesion and support among residents—both factors that can boost health—these areas also often have features associated with worse health, such as relatively high rates of poverty. To better define the health advantages and detriments of Latino enclaves, Dr. Pruitt and her colleagues used data from the 2000 census and the 2008–2012 American Community Survey to identify suc.