Search

The constant influx of Latino immigrants throughout the decades has transformed the demographic composition of the United States, such that the Hispanic population has experienced a 592% growth since 1970. Given that chronic conditions affect minority groups earlier and at much higher rates than other populations, it is especially important to investigate health in the growing Latino community. Despite declining cancer incidence and mortality rates, Latina patients continue to have lower 5-year survival rates compared to their non-Hispanic white counterparts. Moreover, Hispanic adults are 1.7 times more likely to have been diagnosed with diabetes, 2.6 times more likely to be hospitalized for diabetes related end-stage renal disease, and 1.4 times more likely to die from diabetes compared to non-Hispanic white adults. Given the central role of family in the Latino culture, social relationships may help attenuate adverse health outcomes by promoting overall health and wellness for those involved. Dominant paradigms examining the impact of close relationships on focus on the individual, often a patient, or dyadic perspective, frequently spousal or parent-child relationships. However, these models fail to consider the unique cultural influences of other members that are present in Hispanic families. Given that familism, a cultural value that emphasizes family over self, is one of the most prominent values in the Hispanic community, it is especially important to consider the role that social network members play in disease management. To address these needs, a series of analyses examined the role of meaningful others, including medical providers and family members, on health behavior and health outcomes. Results from three separate datasets buttress the importance of such connections indicating that relationships matter for the overall health and wellness of Hispanic women. Research findings may have significant implications for the design of healthcare interventions that elicit change at the individual and social network levels with the goal of producing health equity for all.

Background and SignificanceImmigrant Hispanic women continue to fare worse in terms of health status and health outcomes than white women. Hispanic women continue to be at high risk for developing diabetes, heart disease, and late-stage cancers (Borrayo & Jenkins, 2003). Some researchers contend that cultural factors may influence health care practices and consequently health outcomes among Hispanic women in the United States (Larkey, et al., 2001; Murguia, et.al, 2000). However, the literature is scanty about the traditional and non-traditional health practices performed by immigrant Hispanic women and how these health beliefs influence their health behaviors in a new society. Purpose and AimsThe purpose of this study was to examine the influence of cultural factors on the health care practices of immigrant, reproductive-age Hispanic women. The specific aim was to explore the traditional culture-related health behaviors practiced by these women in their country of origin and to examine how these practices are influenced or changed with time and exposure to health care in the U.S. MethodsThis exploratory qualitative study was conducted in a community health center with a large population of immigrant Hispanic women. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 immigrant Hispanic women between the ages 20-45. Demographic and acculturation data were statistically analyzed. Narrative data were analyzed using Lieblich's (1998) approach to narrative analysis. ResultsThis study's findings suggest that cultural factors significantly influence immigrant Hispanic women's health care beliefs and behaviors regardless of time spent in the U.S. Cultural overlap, mother's role, perceived discrimination, family connectedness, language difficulties, transition experiences, differences in health care systems, and desire to maintain cultural heritage were eight themes identified which influenced access to U.S. health care systems. ConclusionThe findings of this study add to the gaps of information regarding the negotiating process of combining traditional cultural health beliefs with those of a new host culture for immigrant Hispanic women. This knowledge offers guidance to the development of culturally sensitive health interventions directed at improving the health outcomes among these women.

Background: This study investigated the association of vitamin D3 levels with breast cancer risk and progression in African-Americans and Hispanics. Methods: A total of 237 African-American (Cases = 119, Control = 118) and 423 Hispanic women (Cases = 124, Control = 299) were recruited in the study. Blood samples were collected at the time of breast cancer screening and prior to cancer treatment for 4 weeks on average for the cases. The serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D3) was measured at a Quest-Diagnostics facility. Results: The results showed that 69.2% of African-Americans and 37.8% of Hispanics had 25(OH)D3 levels below 20 ng/mL. The 25(OH)D3 level below 20 ng/mL was significantly associated with breast cancer in both African-Americans (OR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.3-4.8) and Hispanics (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.1-3.0). However, the predicted probabilities of breast cancer in African-Americans were significantly higher than in Hispanics (p < 0.001). The 25(OH)D3 below 20 ng/mL was significantly associated with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) in African-Americans (OR = 5.4, p = 0.02, 95% CI = 1.4-15), but not in Hispanics in our cohort of participants. Levels of 25(OH)D3 below 26 ng/mL predicts a decrease in disease-free survival, but it was not an independent predictor. Conclusions: Our data shows an association between 25(OH)D3 levels and the risk of breast cancer. Further studies on the relationship between 25(OH)D3 level and breast cancer risk are warranted.