HISPANIC WOMEN

Discrimination against Hispanic Women

Discrimination against Hispanic Women

Introduction

Hispanics are the largest minority population in the United States, constituting over 15% of the total population. Individuals who are Hispanic represent a racially and culturally diverse group of people with ancestry originating from Central and South America, Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Spain. The largest Hispanic population in the United States originates from Mexico. The Hispanic population in general experiences various disparities that can affect health. This entry discusses these disparities and immigration-related issues as well as interventions to increase health communication and achieve desired health outcomes.

Disparities

Hispanics experience disparities in income, education, and health status. Poverty rates for Hispanics are estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to be 21.5% in comparison to 8.2% for white individuals and 12.5% for all races. In addition, 28% of Hispanic children live in poverty in comparison to the national average of 17.8% of all children. The relationship between poverty and health is significant, with persons living in poverty experiencing more health disparities. Recent estimates from the U.S. Census indicate that about one third of Hispanic families in the United States do not have health insurance, putting them at risk for not receiving needed health care services.

The 2008 U.S. Census estimates that almost 22% of the Hispanic population 25 years and older have less than a 9th grade education, while the national average for the non-Hispanic population is 3.1%. Thirty-eight percent of Hispanics aged 25 years and older have less than a high school education compared to 13.4% nationally. Hispanics are less likely to be graduates of bachelor's degree programs (13.3 %) compared to 31.8% for the nation.

Violence, racism, fear of complaints, factors such as machismo and chauvinism are components of a never ending story, especially because the will of the authorities seems to be enough to change these social patterns.

The long and difficult journey of the immigrant in America is always a struggle to survive at the prospect of a better future. No one can deny that women like Laura and Emma are the personification of courage and bravery (Crimmins, 2007).

Suicide and suicide attempts are intentional self-harm. Individuals who think about and plan suicide are at risk for completing suicide. Women have much lower rates of completed suicide but are eight times more likely to attempt suicide than men. Suicide deaths and attempts vary among groups of women according to their race and ethnicity; mortality from self-inflicted harm is highest among American Indian, Alaskan Native and white women and lowest among black, Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander women. Strategies to reduce risk are most effective if they provide culturally appropriate interventions to the needs of a particular group.

American Indian/Alaskan Native Women

The U.S. government recognizes 564 Native American tribes, each with a unique culture. American Indian and Alaskan Native women have a suicide rate of 15.1 per 100,000, the highest among U.S. women. Suicide is among the top 10 leading causes of death for five age groups of American Indians and ...