Advertisement

Medical Care Problems, Not Health Habits, Pose Risk to Latino Population, Poll Finds

Share
TIMES STAFF WRITER

Despite good health habits, the general health of California’s Latino population is seriously jeopardized by widespread problems in getting adequate medical care, according to a Gallup poll released Thursday.

The study, described as the first statewide health poll of California’s Latino population, found a “surprisingly low” level of smoking, drinking and drug use among Latinos. However, a high percentage lack access to medical care, and good health habits erode as Latinos spend more time in this country.

The poll found that almost half the respondents “sometimes” or “usually” go without needed health care.

Advertisement

About 40% of the respondents said that at least one member of their household lacked health insurance. A quarter of the respondents said they had a family member insured by the government-sponsored Medi-Cal program. But of those enrolled in Medi-Cal, 21% reported having “significant trouble” finding a doctor willing to treat Medi-Cal patients.

Almost 20% reported an overall decline in their physical health during the last two years--a significantly higher percentage than the population at large.

Latinos now account for one-quarter of the state’s population.

Dr. David Hayes-Bautista at UCLA Medical School said the findings support other spot studies of Latinos, raising anew the concern that “we’re putting healthy immigrants into an unhealthy environment.” Research shows, he said, that of all Latinos, recent immigrants tend to have the healthiest behavior--eschewing cigarettes, liquor and drugs.

The health habits of Latinos tend to erode with successive generations, he pointed out. “By the third generation,” he said, Latinos “smoke more, drink more, do drugs more. . . .”

David Langness, vice president of the Hospital Council of Southern California, which helped sponsor the poll, said the study counters “the widespread prejudice” that immigrants come into this country in poor health to use public health clinics.

“Exactly the opposite is true. We found they have good health habits, yet can’t get good access to health care here, so their health declines.”

Advertisement

The poll reported that almost two-thirds of the state’s Latinos exercise at least three times a week. Only 17% smoke, compared to 21% among the general population. About 38% drink alcohol compared to 57% among the general public.

Latinas appeared to lead especially healthful lifestyles. Only 11% smoke, less than any other measured group. And 20% drink, compared to 49% of the women in general.

Hayes-Bautista said their lifestyle may help explain why Latinas tend to have such healthy babies, despite their poor access to prenatal care.

At the county, state and national levels, statistics show that comparatively few Latino babies are born at dangerously low birth weights or die during the first year of life.

Hayes-Bautista said Latinas “have the lowest rate of low-birth-weight babies. It’s half the rate of black babies and a hair better than Anglos.”

The poll found that more than half the Latinos questioned would personally pay higher taxes to increase government funding for indigent health care. Less than half the respondents, however, said they were registered to vote.

Advertisement
Advertisement