I currently work with a great company that assists patients with no insurance. Patients that come into the hospital with major health issues. 60 percent of these patients are latinos with little or no income. Hard working people that can't afford the expensive health insurance. We help patients qualify for different goverment programs. The hospital it's in an area, where most latinos reside in Utah. Therefore, we deal with the Latino community. Most of the patients are shy and speak little English. You should see their faces full of fear. They fear to ask for help. When they realize I speak Spanish... Their faces change and find some type of hope. They will always come back to me and ask for help even if it's not related to their case. So, every morning, as I leave my comfy bed to go to work... I think what a blessing it is to be able to help someone. To make a difference in somone's life! That pushes me to get up and go. I am so thankful for that.
Today, I found these true facts:
1.A significant number of the Latino population in the United States lacks access to health care. This number, in fact, makes up 25 percent of the nation's uninsured.
2.Uninsured Latina women with breast cancer are 2.3 times more likely to be diagnosed at a larger stage, making it less treatable. Uninsured Latino men with prostate cancer are 3.75 more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage, making it less treatable.
3.The hospitalization rate for diabetes-related amputations among Latinos increased from 63 admissions per 100,000 people in 2001 to nearly 80 admissions per 100,000 people in 2004. **
4.Only about 49 percent of Latinos who are not comfortable speaking English have a regular source of health care, such as a family doctor or community health clinic, compared to 63 percent of Latinos who speak English proficiently.
Check out the organization that provided that information and the great work they do:
So, I ask if you ever see anyone that is probably needing help translating or looks confused at the hospital or doctor's office. It could your abuelita or your tia. Please, stop and take the time to help them find the answer or find what they are looking for. It is a little thing you could do and it will make a difference. Don't ignore it... Thank you!
Muchos abrazos y besos!
Eunice
No comments:
Post a Comment