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Latinas: A Call to Action
As I reflect on the marches held in different parts
of the country this past April, I have been moved by
the throngs of Latinos that participated. Half a
million – 95 percent of whom were Latinos – marched
in Dallas, Texas during a peaceful demonstration
that was a sight to behold. Although the marchers’
intention was to bring attention to issues of
immigration, other problems stirred in my mind.
In the midst of this social movement, during all the
speeches and rhetoric, my thoughts focused on other
issues we face in this country, particularly that of
health.
While I watched people marching, I had the
opportunity to observe babies, preschoolers, young
children, teenagers, adults, and elderly walk in
groups of families and friends with focused intent.
My mind kept shifting to my observations as I took
note of the representation and array of folk that
constitute the Latino population.
I paid particular attention to the number of
overweight and obese children barely keeping pace
with the elderly as they struggled to move their
oversized bodies. |
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Dr.
Adela Gonzalez is vice president for
strategic and institutional affairs
at the University of North Texas
Health Science Center. |
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My thoughts immediately drifted to recent reports on
the obesity epidemic in children, which have
confirmed that Latinos are the most overweight and
obese children in this country, and they are the
least likely to have health insurance and access to
health services.
My second observation was the number of teenagers
walking and smoking. We know that tobacco use has
dropped significantly among certain populations over
the last twenty years, but not so for younger and
recent immigrant populations. Latinos have the
largest number of young people compared to other U.S.
populations, and they are a growing market for the
tobacco industry.
Watching the adult marchers reminded me of a third
health issue among the Latino population: high rates
of diabetes, obesity, and hypertension compared to
the rest of the population.
Furthermore, I remembered that most of the people
marching for a better life have little or no access
to health services. Latinos constitute the largest
number of the uninsured in the U.S. A better life
includes having access to necessary health services,
preventing disease, and promoting health.
My observations on that day keep generating thoughts
in my mind: What will be the impact to our health
system as those Latino children develop diabetes and
other complications by ages sixteen or eighteen, and
the teens who smoke become victims to the risk
factors associated with tobacco, such as cancer and
cardiovascular disease? In the future, will the
health system as we know it today have the capacity
to care for so many people afflicted with diabetes,
cardiovascular disease and cancer? What about the
economic impact when these young people enter the
workforce? Will they be as productive? These are
major issues to contemplate as we see Latinos reach
20 percent of the nation’s population by the end of
the next decade.
The health issues affecting Latino communities need
the same attention, if not more, that has been
organized for the immigration reform debate. Latinas
can be the main agents for change; they are the
educators and caregivers of our families. Prevention
and education are factors in addressing most health
problems. Good nutrition, exercise, and less
television-watching and video games will help us to
grow healthy children.
Latinas can be, and are, role models for healthy
behaviors such as exercising, not smoking, and
reducing alcohol consumption. I hope that the next
demonstration I witness includes Latinas marching to
reduce obesity and to improve the health and well-being
of our precious children.
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