Access to Health Care Limited for California Latinos, Survey Finds
The health care of the state's growing Latino population is being hampered by limited access to health care, preventive medicine and education, according to a survey released Monday by the Latino Issues Forum and MAYA, a Latino-owned research and marketing firm, the Torrance Daily Breeze reports.
The survey found that about four million Latinos are uninsured, the highest rate for any minority group.
Respondents, including more than 100 Latino community leaders, said the biggest problem was a lack of education. They also said there are not enough Spanish-speaking physicians or investments in programs to help prevent chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
The respondents recommended that the state:
- Expand public health care programs;
- Require employers to provide health insurance benefits; and
- Mandate that all health plans cover preventive care (Evans, Torrance Daily Breeze, 3/10).