Today, chronic diseases—such as cardiovascular disease (primarily heart disease and stroke), cancer, and diabetes—are among the most prevalent, costly, and preventable of all health problems among Hispanics/Latinos.

Chronic disease has an excessive impact on minority populations.

Hispanics are more likely to suffer from certain chronic diseases and have less access to health care than non-Hispanic whites.

“We're dying of some of these diseases because we're not getting the treatment,'' Elena Alvarado,
Executive Director of the National Latina Health Network

Hispanics are traditionally the least likely of racial and ethnic groups to use preventive services. It means a lot regarding chronic diseases.

Both Nutritional/Pharmaceutical Industry and Health Care Services have a very important role to play regarding the prevention and management of chronic diseases among Hispanics/Latinos.

Obesity

Obesity is on the rise among Hispanics.

Overweight affects 66.2 percent of men and 56.8 percent of women ages 18 and older (62.7 and 43.4 among Non Hispanic Whites).

New dietary patterns and less physical activity associated with a new lifestyle play an important role.

Diabetes

Diabetes, heavily associated with obesity, is highly prevalent among Hispanic/Latinos.

According to the CDC, Hispanic Americans are diagnosed with diabetes mellitus at twice the rate of white Americans.

One out of every 10 Latinos is diabetic vs. 1 out of every 20 NHW. One in every 4 at age 45.
The risk for heart disease is two times higher in diabetic men and four times higher in diabetic women.

Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death among Hispanics/Latinos living in the US.

It is heavily associated to Obesity, Diabetes and Hypertension.

Hypertension

Hypertension, the silent killer, has a similar prevalence for Hispanics and for Non Hispanics Whites (NHW).

Latino women are more likely than NHW to have high blood pressure.

Hispanics are less likely than NHW and African-Americans to be aware of their HBP.

Stroke

The risk of stroke is 1.3 times higher among Hispanics/Latinos compared to the rest of the population.

Cancer

Cancer is the second leading cause of death, following heart disease.

Hispanics/Latinos present a higher incidence of cancer of the stomach, liver, cervix and gallbladder, than the rest of the population.