Health Disparities Impacting Hispanics and Latinos in Michigan

Cancer

·   Cancer continues to be the second leading cause of death for the Hispanic/Latino population.¹

·   The rate of newly diagnosed cancers (all) for this population is 313.4/100,000.²

·   The Hispanic/Latino cancer death rate is 120.3 per 100,000.²

Diabetes

·   One in 12 Hispanics/Latinos has diabetes, compared with one in 14 for whites. (8.5% vs. 7%).³

·   Hispanics/Latinos die of diabetes 1.5 times more often than whites.¹

HIV

·    Hispanics/Latinos make up 4% of the HIV/AIDS cases, but only 3% of the Michigan population.⁴

·    The estimated rate of HIV/AIDS currently in the Hispanic/Latino male population is more than two times the estimated rate of HIV/AIDS currently found among white males.⁴

·    The estimated rate of HIV/AIDS currently in the Hispanic/Latino female population is 8.5 times the estimated rate of HIV/AIDS currently found among white females.⁴

Infant Mortality

·   Hispanic/Latino infant deaths occur 2 times more often than white infant deaths.¹

·   The Hispanic/Latino infant mortality rate has continued to increase over the past 5 years.¹

·   Hispanic/Latino women report inadequate levels of prenatal care 75 percent more often than whites.   (Based on an index that utilizes month in which care is initiated, and number of prenatal visits.)

Lifestyle

Obesity:  Obesity and Overweight have been linked to diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, gall bladder disease, osteoarthritis, and some cancers.

• 24.4% of Hispanic/Latino adults are obese.⁵
• 14% of the Hispanic/Latino high school students were overweight in comparison to 10% of white high school students.⁶

Smoking:  Smoking is the single most preventable cause of premature deaths.  Annual health care expenditures in Michigan directly caused by tobacco use total $2.65 billion.

• Over 28% of the Hispanic/Latino population smokes, in comparison to 21% of the white population.⁵
• 75% of Hispanic/Latino high school students smoke in comparison to 50% of white high school students.⁵ 

Physical Activity:  Physical activity helps to control weight and reduce blood pressure; and, has been associated with increased life expectancy, and decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and some cancers.

• 18.2% of the Hispanic/Latino population do not engage in leisure time physical activity.⁵
• 11% of Hispanic/Latino high school students report having no physical activity in the previous 7 days, in comparison to 10% of white high school students.⁶