Hispanic Times Network

Phoenix Marketing International Launches New Research to Address the Knowledge and Communication Gaps Between Healthcare Organizations and Hispanics

(HISPANIC TIMES WIRE) - The growth of the U.S. Hispanic population begs for more research to be conducted to better understand this marketplace and how to effectively communicate with Latinos about their health and healthcare services.

Phoenix Marketing International is launching the inaugural wave of its Hispanic Health Measurement Index, which provides a comprehensive review of Hispanic attitudes and behaviors regarding their health and wellness. The research specifically reveals the areas of uniqueness, as the results of the Hispanic population are directly compared to those of non-Hispanics.

The Hispanic Health Measurement Index explores the broad landscape of health issues and attitudes. The topics range from beliefs about treating illness to participation in the system to communications and advertising. How do Hispanics utilize the healthcare system differently? How compliant are they with their medications? How do they feel about vaccinations, generics, and health insurance? Do they trust their pharmacist? Answers to these types of questions will help healthcare organizations understand the unique perspectives of the Hispanic population and optimize their communications.

The research offers subscribers very direct, tangible feedback on their marketing, as they have the opportunity to test their proprietary messaging at the end of the survey. Hispanics with specific health conditions can be targeted so the correct audiences are evaluating the effectiveness of current and potential communications.

This syndicated market research is a collaboration between the Healthcare and Multicultural divisions of Phoenix Marketing International. PMI is one of the fastest growing research companies in the U.S.

To visit their website, click here.

Hispanics Embrace Better Health Care

Pew Hispanic Center Releases Report on Health Insurance of Hispanics by Immigration Status

The Pew Hispanic Center, a project of the Pew Research Center, today released a report on health insurance coverage and access to health care among Hispanics by immigration status. Six-in-ten Hispanic adults in the U.S. who are neither citizens nor legal permanent residents* lack health insurance. In contrast, 28% of Hispanic adults who are citizens or legal permanent residents and 17% of the overall U.S. adult population lack health insurance.
 
Hispanics who are neither citizens nor legal permanent residents are also more likely than other Hispanics to lack a usual health care provider and seek services at a clinic or health center. About one-in-three of those without a usual provider report finances are a factor, but the majority say they do not need one. Hispanics who are neither citizens nor legal permanent residents are relatively young and less likely than other adults to report being sick.
 
The estimates are based on a new analysis of a survey of 4,013 Latino adults conducted by the Pew Hispanic Center and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation from July 16, 2007 to September 23, 2007

The Center estimates that 98% of Hispanic immigrants who are neither citizens nor legal permanent residents are undocumented.  To view the report go to the Pew Hispanic Center website by clicking here.

Latino Youth More Likely to Develop Mental-Health Problems Due to Racism

Latino students may be more likely to develop mental-health problems as a result of experiencing racism, a new Rand Institute/Harvard University study suggests. While there's some evidence that racial discrimination increases the likelihood that adolescents and adults will develop mental illnesses, this is the first to examine a possible link between racism and mental disorders among elementary-aged students.

The results of the study, however, do not prove that discrimination caused emotional problems. That's because, unlike studies of adults, these fifth-grade participants weren't followed over a period of time. But it is possible that at-risk Latino kids prompt more discriminatory remarks from peers or those children with emotional problems perceive more bias, says the study's lead researcher, Mark Schuster, a Harvard pediatrician and pediatrics chief at Children's Hospital Boston.

What this study found:

• 15 percent of the Latino students said they had experienced racism, compared to only 7 percent of white students
• Latino youth who reported experiencing racism were more than three times as likely to have symptoms of depression.
  
• Rates of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional-defiant disorder and conduct disorder were also higher among the Latino students studied

Although some experts are lauding the research for its findings, other child psychologists disagree and point to the inherent bias that comes with asking students whether they "ever experienced," or perceived, racism.

Are Latinos the Forgotten Crazy Aunt in the Attic?

Have you noticed how the subject of Latinos went from a hot pre-election topic to the post-election forgotten crazy aunt in the attic?

Before the Presidential primaries and final national election, U.S. Hispanics were on the lips of everyone to include Hillary Clinton, John McCain and Barrack Obama.  To hear all of them talk about the importance of Hispanics to our overall American culture and way of life made one dizzy with goodwill and kumbaya happiness.

Hispanic leaders throughout the country developed sharp elbows as they pushed and forced their way to the front of the crowd in order to be recognized with  our political leaders who showered the Hispanic community  with loving kisses and warm hand shakes.

How times have changed?

Today comments like the "Fajita Flu", "Mexican Invasion", "Thank You Latinos", and a myriad of other derogatory comments  permeate the communication airways and online blogs.   Pre-election Latinos were the darling of America but now that the Swine Flu has become more imporant than the Latino vote, U.S. Hispanics with special emphasis on Mexican-Americans have to run for the hills....or the border.

I wonder when the next election cycle comes around if our political leaders will ignore the Swine Flu to  kiss Hispanic looking babies and to shake the hands of Latino voters.  Knowing how politicians work, they would shake the hands of anyone that will get them a vote.  

Based on the Swine Flu and the U.S. Hispanic community stigma tied to it, let's hope that the next election gets here quickly.