Hispanics are the fastest growing population in the U.S. Forecasters project that the Hispanic share of the total U.S. population will increase from its current level of 13% to more than 24% by mid-century. As their population increases, so is their proclivity towards obesity and diabetes. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 60% of Hispanic Children will develop obesity and Type II Diabetes; in turn, the children will then become obese adults. There are an estimated 18 million overweight U.S. Hispanic adults, which amounts to 13% of the overweight U.S. adult population. Additionally, Hispanics are more likely to be overweight than non-Hispanics. The facts are clear:

In 2000, about 2 million Hispanic Americans were known to have diabetes.
10.2 percent of all Hispanic Americans have diabetes.
Being overweight or physically inactive is a major risk factor for developing diabetes. Hispanic Americans have high rates of both of these risk factors.
Healthy lifestyles, such as eating healthy foods and getting regular exercise, are particularly important for people who are at increased risk of diabetes. Some diabetes may be prevented with weight control and regular physical activity.
Hispanic Americans with diabetes have a higher incidence of diabetes complications such as eye and kidney disease than non-Hispanic whites. However, they may have lower rates of heart disease.

If Hispanic Americans can prevent or control their diabetes, their risk of complications will decrease.

“The only way to deal with this epidemic of obesity is to develop a healthy lifestyle change.” Despite the fact that Hispanics are taking action and spending approximately $4 billion per year to lose weight or prevent weight gain, in order to have a real impact on this problem Hispanics still need to make a lifestyle change. For this change to arise, a foothold in the Latin household needs to be made. The Latina woman is that threshold. From the Latina stay-at-home mom, to the woman working at the bodega, to the executive in the boardroom, all share a proclivity for these diseases.

Mejorando Tu Vida is entering into cooperation agreements with Hispanic-Serving Health Professions School, a non-profit organization established in 1996 in response to the President’s Executive Order 12900, “Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans.” The Association was established with support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of the DHHS “Hispanic Agenda for Action Initiative.” HSHPS currently represents over twenty medical schools and three schools of public health across the United States.

Mejorando Tu Vida is also entering into cooperation agreements with The National Alliance for Hispanic Health (the Alliance). The Alliance is the Nation’s oldest and largest network of Hispanic health and human services providers. Alliance members deliver quality services to over 12 million persons annually. As the nation's action forum for Hispanic health and well-being, the programs of the Alliance are achieving the following: Informing and mobilizing consumers; Supporting providers in the delivery of quality care; Promoting appropriate use of technology; Improving the science base for accurate decision making; and promoting philanthropy.

Mejorando Tu Vida is entering into cooperation agreements with The National Alliance for Hispanic Health (the Alliance). The Alliance is the Nation’s oldest and largest network of Hispanic health and human services providers. Alliance members deliver quality services to over 12 million persons annually. As the nation's action forum for Hispanic health and well-being, the programs of the Alliance: Inform and mobilize consumers; Support providers in the delivery of quality care; Promote appropriate use of technology; Improve the science base for accurate decision making; and promote philanthropy.

Resource Links:

National Alliance for Hispanic Health: www.hispanichealth.org/
Hispanic-Serving Health Professions Schools: www.hshps.org
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: www.fda.gov
Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition: www.cfsan.fda.gov/list.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/hisfacts.htm
National Diabetes Information Clearing House (NDIC): http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/hispanicamerican/index.htm
National Coalition of Hispanic Health and Human Services Organizations: http://www.cehn.org/cehn/resourceguide/nchhhso.html

Check back soon for more helpful articles and information on Hispanic Health.