By NCI
Latino men are the group the least likely to visit a doctor, says the American Heart Association. The diseases they face are often “silent” (they show no symptoms), making the situation very dangerous. Latino men cite lack of insurance, cultural and linguistic barriers (only 7% of physicians in the United States identify as Latino), cost of care, and immigration status as reasons for not seeing a doctor. They also tend to be unable to miss work.
Latinos have the highest uninsured rate in the United States, at 16.8%, and are less likely to have private health coverage. Latino men are more likely to be obese and to suffer from diabetes than non-Latinos and have higher rates of kidney failure and chronic kidney and liver disease.
Men overall are at a higher risk than women for certain health issues, including heart disease, cancer, and accidents. Also, 41.6% of men suffered from obesity in 2020, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services.
The National Center for Health Statistics notes that 51.9% of men 20 and older have hypertension, which means they have high blood pressure or are taking medicine for the condition.
To reduce your risk and spend more years with their family, men should get regular checkups and monitor their blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and weight; eat a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, high-fiber foods, and lean protein sources; increase activity level, even it just means walking more; avoid smoking and second-hand smoke; drink no alcohol or use it in moderation; and manage stress.
Take care of yourself with these free or low-cost local health resources:
Vista Community Clinic (VCC)
https://www.vistacommunityclinic.org
VCC Dad’s Club: Program supporting fathers and father figures, covering parenting practices, child development, behavior, relationships, and the role of fathers in a child’s healthy development. Includes fathers with open Child Welfare Services cases, unhoused fathers, fathers struggling with child support payments, and more.
24/7 Dad program: 10-part Zoom courses in English and Spanish.
Parenting@vcc.org / 760-631-5000, ext. 7181
TrueCare
(760) 736-6767
Neighborhood Healthcare
1-833-867-4642
