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The Business of
Health Care Report Today's report is the first of two about the Hispanic impact on health care needs in our community. The Hispanic population now comprises 32 percent of the state's population. In North Texas, Hispanics are 16 percent of the population and expected to grow 22 percent between 2000 and 2005. In short, the health care industry is inadequately prepared to meet the health care needs of this dynamic, growing population. A major challenge is in the growth needed for clinical service lines. Hispanics prefer clinic settings rather than hospitals or physicians' offices. This differs from the majority of care settings available in our community today. Clinical programs will need to grow to meet the health needs of Hispanics. For example, obstetrical and pediatric services will need to expand, since 75% of Hispanic women visit an OB/GYN annually-the highest category of health usage for Hispanics. Family sizes are larger for Hispanics, averaging four or more members in 66% of Hispanic households compared with 28% of households for Whites. More diabetes education and treatment programs are needed, since Hispanics have three to five times higher prevalence of diabetes and obesity than other ethnic groups. They're seven times more likely to need pulmonary care, have higher incidences of depression, AIDS and cervical cancer-all impacting how hospitals and physicians plan and deliver care to our growing neighborhoods. Local research also indicates that Hispanics are less oriented to how health care is delivered and wait longer to seek care-sometimes too long for today's modern techniques to impact their health. Significant education and outreach programs are needed. Both have ramifications to keeping Texans in a healthy state. If you have comments on health care or suggestions for topics to be addressed on this program, e-mail me at DouglasHawthorne@TexasHealth.org. Stay tuned to our weekly Business of Health Care reports here on TexasHealth.org and on News Radio 1080 KRLD. Source: Health Care Advisory Board, Health Watch survey, Tarrant County Hispanic survey, Inforum data base through Planning and Business Development Doug Hawthorne - DougHawthorne@TexasHealth.org ©
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