AMERICAN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

American Health Care System



American Health Care System

Introduction

The Hispanic population of the United States is growing exponentially, and the Pew Hispanic Center chronicles and tracks the collective successes and challenges of this burgeoning American demographic.

American Health Care System

According to the Pew Center, the Hispanic population of the United States---currently the largest minority group in the country---will triple between 2005 and 2050, with non-Hispanic whites poised to them become a minority by 2050, certainly the largest projected demographic shift of the 21st century.

Taking these statistics into consideration, it is disturbing to learn that a recent Pew Hispanic Center study reveals that 1 out of 4 Hispanic Americans does not have a regular healthcare provider. (Angel, 2006, 464) Additionally, a similar number of Hispanic respondents reports receiving no medical attention or information from any member of the healthcare system in the previous year.

Interestingly, when pressed for reasons why they lack regular healthcare providers, 41% of respondents simply said they lacked a provider because they are rarely sick. And a majority of Hispanic study subjects---83%, in fact---report obtaining the majority of their health information from television. Additionally, 79% states that they are acting on the information obtained from television and other media sources, changing diet and exercise practices solely based on reports and advertisements. (Angel, 2007, 1360)

In terms of those Hispanics who have indeed received medical care in the last year, 77% reported their care as "good" or "excellent". However, 25% of those respondents who received health care over the last five years reports receiving poor treatment within the mainstream American health care system. The report continues by stating, (Angel, 2007, 1360) "Those who believe that the quality of their medical care was poor attribute it to their financial limitations (31%), their race or ethnicity (29%) or, the ...