Good and bad news in recent Hispanic health study

The first national study of Hispanic health risks showed that Hispanics fare somewhat better than their non-Hispanic white peers in terms of health, even while carrying heavier financial burdens that might limit their access to adequate health care.

The two leading causes of death in Hispanics are cancer and heart disease but Hispanics are 50% more likely to die from diabetes and chronic liver disease than non-Hispanics in the US and are more likely to suffer from obesity.

A doctor associated with the study, Dr. Ken Dominguez, MPH, stated that the increased risk of diabetes and obesity is not genetic but likely associated with socioeconomic factors.

Strangely, American-born Hispanics are unhealthier than Hispanics who were born in other countries. That is partly true because they are more likely to smoke.

For more information, click here: http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/05/health/hispanic-health/