The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #64217

Marian C. McDonald, DrPH¹, Marisa Duarte, MPH², and Edith Hambie, MS¹. (1) Office of Minority and Women's Health, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS D 62, Atlanta, GA 30333, 404-371-5312, mmcdonald@cdc.gov, (2) Division of Beneficiary Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 61 Forsyth Street, Suite 4T20, Atlanta, GA 30303

In January 2003 the United States Hispanic/Latino population officially became the largest racial/ethnic group in the United States. While numerous infectious diseases affect Hispanic/Latino populations, the examination of infectious diseases among Latinos has historically been limited to those diseases affecting the whole U.S population, such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, and STDs. A review of the literature on infectious diseases among Hispanics/Latinos was conducted to assess the current state of knowledge and to identify disparities in infectious disease morbidity and mortality as compared to non-Latinos. Hispanics/Latinos were found to have higher rates of a number of infectious diseases, including hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, STDs, congenital STDs, and tuberculosis (TB). Latinos also have higher rates of Helicobacter pylori, listeriosis, and Chagas disease. Infectious disease prevention efforts are needed to address these new and emerging infectious diseases affecting Hispanics/Latinos, and to develop appropriate intervention strategies for Spanish-speaking populations. Additionally, a broader infectious disease research agenda must be developed to identify and target the infectious disease burdens of diverse subgroups within the U.S Hispanics/Latino population.

Learning Objectives:

• At the end of the session the participant will be able to:
• 1) Identify infectious diseases that disproportionately affect Latinos.
• 2) Identify risk factors for infectious diseases among Latinos
• 3) Identify intervention strategies to prevent infectious diseases among Latinos

Keywords: Health Disparities, Infectious Diseases

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.