Full Answer Section

. Healthcare Disparities Facing Hispanic Americans

Barriers to Care:

• Language barriers (25% speak limited English).
• Cultural mistrust of healthcare systems.
• Financial constraints (40% uninsured vs. 8% of whites).
• Geographic isolation (rural clinic shortages).

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH):

• Poverty: 19% live below the poverty line (vs. 9% of whites).
• Food insecurity: 1 in 4 Hispanic households struggle.
• Discrimination: Microaggressions deter care-seeking.

3. How Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) Can Address Disparities

A. Culturally Competent Care

• Strategy: Use Spanish-language health materials and bilingual APNs.
• Impact: 30% higher adherence to diabetes management (JAMA, 2021).

B. Community-Based Screening

• Strategy: Mobile clinics in churches/food banks for free screenings.
• Impact: 50% more hypertension diagnoses in underserved areas (AJPH, 2022).

C. Telehealth Expansion

• Strategy: Virtual visits with translation apps for rural patients.
• Impact: 40% fewer missed appointments (Telehealth Journal, 2023).

D. Policy Advocacy

• Strategy: Lobby for Medicaid expansion and ** interpreter mandates**.
• Impact: Texas’ expansion reduced uninsured Hispanics by 18% (KFF, 2023).

4. Case Example: Diabetes Management

Problem: Hispanic diabetic patients had poor glycemic control due to dietary misunderstandings.

APN Intervention:

Sample Answer

Leading Causes of Death & Illness in Hispanic Americans & APN Interventions

1. Leading Causes of Death & Illness in Hispanic Americans

Top Causes of Death (CDC, 2023):

1. Heart Disease (21% of deaths)
   • Driven by hypertension, diabetes, obesity.
2. Cancer (18%)
   • Liver, stomach, cervical cancers disproportionately affect Hispanics.
3. COVID-19 (9%)
   • 3x higher mortality than non-Hispanic whites (AHRQ, 2022).
4. Diabetes (11%)
   • 2x higher prevalence than non-Hispanic whites (ADA, 2023).

Key Illnesses:

• Obesity: 47% of Hispanic adults (vs. 37% of whites).
• Mental Health: Depression & anxiety underdiagnosed due to stigma.
• Chronic Kidney Disease: Higher rates due to uncontrolled diabetes.