Hispanics and the Future of America presents details of the complex story of a population that varies in many dimensions, including national origin, immigration status, and generation. The papers in this volume draw on a wide variety of data sources to describe the contours of this population, from the perspectives of history, demography, geography, education, family, employment, economic well-being, health, and political engagement. They provide a rich source of information for researchers, policy makers, and others who want to better understand the fast-growing and diverse population that we call "Hispanic." The current period is a critical one for getting a better understanding of how Hispanics are being shaped by the U.S. experience. This will, in turn, affect the United States and the contours of the Hispanic future remain uncertain. The uncertainties include such issues as whether Hispanics, especially immigrants, improve their educational attainment and fluency in English and thereby improve their economic position; whether growing numbers of foreign-born Hispanics become citizens and achieve empowerment at the ballot box and through elected office; whether impending health problems are successfully averted; and whether Hispanics' geographic dispersal accelerates their spatial and social integration. The papers in this volume provide invaluable information to explore these issues.

Sweeping in scope, Health Issues in the Latino Community identifies and offers an in-depth examination of the most critical health issues that affect Latino's health and health care within the United States. This resource offers a comprehensive approach that informs and promotes the advancement of the practice, program planning, research, and public policy to improve health care of all Latino citizens.

Given recent developments in health care and policy and a steadily increasing population of people of Mexican origin in the United States, a comprehensive look at Mexican American health has never been more necessary. Adela de la Torre and Antonio Estrada first accomplished such an overview with Mexican Americans and Health in 2001, and they have since continued to revise and expand their initial work. With a multitude of additions and renovations, Mexican Americans and Health, 2nd Edition provides a timely and accessible description of current topics in Latino health. De la Torre and Estrada once again present a broad and nuanced understanding of recent issues involving Mexican American health and well-being, this time with the addition of discussions on: * the new U.S. Human Development Index to contextualize the health, education, and income status of Mexican Americans relative to other population groups, * emerging diseases, such as diabetes and obesity, * recent health-care reforms under the Obama administration, * substance abuse, sexual risk, and psychological distress among HIV-positive individuals in the gay/bisexual community, * and predictions of future trends for the next decade. This new volume has been updated throughout to reflect the many developments in health care since its first edition. Mexican Americans and Health, 2nd Edition continues to present data on a large number of health issues that are important and relevant to the Mexican American population, while describing the social contexts in which they are occurring. Its comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach brings originality and focus to a dynamic literature.

Latinos and the health care system; life cycle and family health issues; patterns of chronic diseases; health in the work envirnoment; alcohol, drugs and mental health issues.

Latina Health in the United States identifies and offers an in-depth examination of the most critical health issues that affect Latinas’ health and health care within the United States. In this comprehensive resource, the contributors examine a wide variety of topics that address Latina women’s health concerns such as sexual and reproductive health issues; chronic conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes; the impact of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; mental health issues; adolescent health; and rural and migrant occupational health. Latina Health in the United States is a unique guide to the health and well-being of the women in our country’s fastest growing population. "This edited volume is a much-needed and timely collection, comprehensively mapping out the issues most central to Latina health today. The collection raises not only issues central to research and scholarship on Latina health, it also serves as a guide for future policy decisions in regard to Latina health. Latina Health in the United States stands as a definitive collection for years to come." –Natalia Molina, associate professor of ethnic studies, University of California, San Diego "An extraordinarily valuable volume detailing and analyzing the complex realities of Latina health in the U.S. and the social, cultural, and economic factors that influence them. Essential reading, written by the best in the field, for health workers, public health professionals, educators, students, and other caregivers." –Ruth Sidel, professor of sociology, Hunter College, and author, Keeping Women and Children Last: America’s War on the Poor

Hispanics are defined as people of Spanish-speaking origin from Latin America, the Caribbean, or Europe. Hispanics vary in terms of socioeconomic status, race, religion and/or more. A common occurrence among the Hispanics, however, are the emerging issues concerning their health.It is estimated that by 2050 Hispanics will make up more than 25% of the United States' population. It is thus important that they have the resources to contribute maximally to American society. This can come about by first understanding and dealing with issues surrounding their health. In hopes of examining these issues and as a part of its continuing commitment to promote a national dialogue on race and diversity in the United States, the National Academies organized an expert meeting on Emerging Issues in Hispanic Health on April 10, 2002. Emerging Issues in Hispanic Health: Summary of a Workshop includes a review of key demographic data, such as population statistics, that characterize the Hispanic population in the United States; research on the socioeconomic, sociocultural, and behavioral determinants of health; effects of selective migration; the apparent epidemiological paradox : the relatively positive health outcomes observed in some Hispanic populations despite their relatively poor socioeconomic status or other types of disadvantage such as discrimination; and more.

The Latina/o population in the United States has become the largest minority group in the nation. Latinas/os are a mosaic of people, representing different nationalities and religions as well as different levels of education and income. This edited volume uses a multidisciplinary approach to document how Latinas and Latinos have changed and continue to change the face of America. It also includes critical methodological and theoretical information related to the study of the Latino/a population in the United States.