Online Program

Oral

Research indicates that immigrant Latinos generally have better health than their US-born counterparts. However, findings from the studies presented in this panel indicate that self-reported health likely yields disease prevalence underestimates due to undiagnosed health conditions, and that foreign-born Latinos may have lower rates of health screenings and higher prevalence of some health conditions than previously thought. The role of citizenship status among Latino immigrants and the promise of interventions using community health workers in health screening will be discussed. The panel is particularly relevant in view of specifications under the Affordable Care Act to increase screening and access to care and the debate on immigration reform and its potential impact on Latino population health. The goal of this panel is to promote discussion on the complex factors that impact immigrant health and access to health screening.

Session Objectives: By the end of this panel, the participants will be able to: 1) Discuss the limitations of self-reported health data and undiagnosed health conditions among Latinos, 2) Identify the relationship between immigrant status by Latino group and risk for diabetes, 3) discuss the protective effects of citizenship status associated with cancer screening, and 4) understand how interventions using community health workers could improve health screening for cancer.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)