Although this isn't a problem with the health of women, it can lead to health problems because many women can't get the right health services, medicines, and supplies when they need them. Some reasons include:

They can't pay for it and don't have health insurance.

They have no way to get to a doctor.

They have physical limitations that make it hard to get to a doctor.

They don't understand the language.

There are more uninsured Hispanic American/Latino women than any other race/ethnic group (30%), even though many of them are employed or live with someone who is employed. Only 26% have private health insurance, 27% receive Medicaid coverage, and 7% receive Medicare. This lack of insurance is due in part to the fact that Hispanics are more likely than non-Hispanics to be employed in industries and jobs that do not provide health benefits. Also, within the various industries, Hispanics are less likely than non-Hispanics to be offered health coverage by their employers. Problems with language, transportation, child care, immigration status, or cultural differences act as further barriers to health care services. Lack of access to health care is a major barrier to early detection and treatment of breast cancer and cervical cancer, and one that many Hispanic American/Latino women face. Uninsured Hispanic women with breast cancer are more than twice as likely than other women to be diagnosed with breast cancer in the advanced stages of the disease. The disease is more difficult to treat successfully when it is diagnosed in its advanced stages, and survival rates are lower.

More often than any other group, Hispanic Americans/Latinos have no regular source of health care. In addition, the low incomes of many Hispanic Americans/Latinos, as compared to other groups, make it hard to obtain individual health insurance outside of employer- or government-sponsored plans. Even when they are eligible for Medicaid or state-sponsored child health insurance programs, many Hispanic American families fear that enrolling family members in such plans could be used against them when they apply for citizenship.

Publications
Assuring Cultural Competence in Health Care: Recommendations for National Standards and an Outcomes-Focused Research Agenda - This project, from the Office of Minority Health, makes recommendations for national standards for culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS) in health care. Based on an analytical review of key laws, regulations, contracts, and standards currently in use by federal and state agencies and other national organizations, these standards were developed with input from a national advisory committee of policymakers, health care providers, and researchers.

Choosing and Using a Health Plan - This booklet can help you make sense of your choices for getting health care insurance.

Guide for Patients and Families Improving Health Care Quality - This Guide is based on research about the information consumers want and need when making decisions about health plans, doctors, treatments, hospitals and long-term care. It is part of the Department's (DHHS) efforts to address the findings of the President's Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry, released in March 1998.

Health Care Quality - This Internet site will help you better understand and use information on health care quality by learning what the experts look at when they measure health care quality and ways to find out how a particular plan, doctor, or hospital measures up in comparison to others.

Health Insurance Coverage and Access to Care Among Latinos - This publication contains information on the disparities in health care for Latinos as compared to white women, why this occurs, and what is being done to fix the problem.

Insure Kids Now - This web site, part of the Children's Health Insurance Program outreach, contains information about your state's low-cost or free insurance programs for children through 18 years of age. This site contains state contact information and on-line video messages in both English and Spanish.

Mastering the Maze: Taking Control of Your Health Care (Copyright © CAP) - This publication serves as a guide to help people better choose and use health care and includes information on how to protect yourself, choosing coverage, choosing your doctor, and a glossary of terminology.

Organizations

Administration for Children and Families

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, OPHS, HHS

American Hospital Association

CDC's WISEWOMAN™ - Well Integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation

Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, HHS

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

National Alliance for Hispanic Health

National Hispanic Family Health Helpline - "Su Familia"

Office of Minority Health Resource Center, OMH, OPHS, OS, HHS

Office of Minority Health, OPHS, OS, HHS