The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its first-ever national study of the leading causes of death as well as risk factors, disease prevalence and access to health services among U.S. Hispanics. It found that while the death rate among the nation’s fastest-growing ethnic group is 24 percent lower than non-Hispanic whites, the Latino community is hit hard by certain diseases and conditions.

Hispanics or Latinos are the largest racial/ethnic minority population in the United States. Heart disease and cancer in Hispanics are the two leading causes of death. Hispanics have a lower fatality rate from most of the 10 leading causes of death with three exceptions: more deaths from diabetes and chronic liver disease, and similar numbers of deaths from kidney diseases. Health risk can vary by Hispanic subgroup and also depends partly on whether you were born in the U.S. or another country.

What can you do?

• Sign up for health insurance, if eligible, through the Affordable Care Act regardless of whether or not you have a pre-existing condition and find out if you are eligible for cost savings.
• Talk to your doctor or other healthcare professional about which cancer screening tests to get and how often, especially if you have a family history of cancer. Follow-up on any abnormal results.
• Make a strong effort to follow proven health tips such as quitting smoking; staying on medicine to control blood pressure and cholesterol; and maintaining a healthy weight by taking at least one brisk 10-minute walk, 3 times a day, 5 days a week.
• Learn about diabetes and how to prevent type 2 diabetes.
• Eat a healthy diet that is low in salt; low in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol; and rich in fresh fruits and vegetables.

View the complete report here, and below is the Fact Sheet in Spanish:

Hispanic Health Fact Sheet