Extract

Lisa J. Scott

Statistical data provided by the World Health Organization (2005) indicate that poor Afro-Latinos suffer disproportionately from disease, injury, death, and disability worldwide. Generally, black ethnic groups across the globe—even those with no Hispanic heritage—are more commonly victims of disease and health problems associated with AIDS, famine, pollution, and social unrest.

Although there are many factors that contribute to health disparities worldwide, two of the most causative ones among poor Hispanic ethnic groups are the social and economic forms of racism present in the healthcare system and the behavioral practices of these groups. Disparities for these ethnic groups can mean earlier deaths from preventable diseases, decreased quality of life, higher healthcare costs globally, and social inequality. It is for these reasons, among others, that healthcare personnel and advocates need to develop strategies to eliminate healthcare inequity and promote healthy lifestyles among Hispanic populations throughout the world.

Luisa N. Borrell and Clara Rodríguez, in “The Implications and Impact of Race on the Health of Hispanic/Latino Males,” examine the effect of “colorism” on Latino males’ health, specifically in terms of their obtaining healthcare coverage and services. Borrell and Rodríguez indicate that color stratification plays a critical role, especially among Puerto Ricans living in New York City. Based on their research, Puerto Ricans who self-identified as black Hispanic in the U.S. Census had lower mean incomes than those who self-identified as white. Similarly, these same socioeconomic discrepancies were prevalent...