New Survey Shows Solutions to Improve Latinos' Access to Health Care in ...( More than 100 Latino leaders in C...),Health

More than 100 Latino leaders in California participated

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif., March 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Latinos are expected to become the largest ethnic group by 2011 and the majority of California's population by 2040. One third of the Latino community in California is uninsured, the highest rate among all ethnic groups.

"In an election year when the only thing politicians are discussing with regard to the Latino community is immigration, there seems to be a lack of understanding," said co-author of the survey and MAYA President Luis Vasquez-Ajmac. "Latinos, African-Americans, and other minority groups also care deeply about health and education. Through the U.S. Health Disparities Forum, it is our goal that legislators hear one voice."

The survey's findings, released today by the Latino Issues Forum and MAYA at the U.S. Health Disparities Forum, suggest policy solutions to decrease health disparities among Latinos in California. These solutions include:

1. Require all health care plans to cover preventive screenings, disease management and health assistance programs (such as smoking cessation, nutrition counseling, etc.);

2. Develop a bilingual media campaign about prevalent illnesses among Latinos and prevention strategies;

3. Collect demographic data to ensure health plans deliver quality and equitable health care;

4. Invest in local communities to provide active living environments;

5. Develop clear guidelines for the public to measure the quality of care they receive.

"The input from Latino leaders provides a road map for movement building and policy creation to ensure that the Latino community's health needs are addressed," said co-author Sarah Mercer from the Latino Issues Forum.

Additional solutions include the integration of promotoras (outreach workers in the Hispanic community responsible for raising awareness of health and educational issues); the crea
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