The Health Care Safety Net for Hispanics.

The research reported in this volume makes it clear that the causes and potential consequences of differential patterns of morbidity and mortality among African- Americans, Hispanics, and Asians are complex, and as yet incompletely understood. Perhaps the only categorical summary statement that one might make concerning the health of older Hispanics is that despite continuing socioeconomic disadvantages, Hispanics, like all other Americans, are living longer and in most cases healthier lives than in previous decades. Yet not all is well, and despite longer life spans, the research reported in this volume reveals that Hispanics and other minority Americans suffer significant morbidity and disability as the result of preventable causes that have their origin in the complex nexus of genetics, lifelong socioeconomic disadvantage, the exposure to environmental and social health risks, and inadequate medical care. Increased longevity in the presence of significant illness and disability means that older Hispanics have elevated levels of need for medical and social services that in many cases are not being addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]