Health status, perceptions and needs of Hispanics in rural Shelbyville, Kentucky.

This cross-sectional study was completed to characterize the health status, perceptions and needs of Hispanics in Shelbyville, KY, USA. Community Health Workers interviewed 668 Hispanic residents in Shelbyville, KY, USA. Data were collected from 2009 to 2010 and analyzed from 2011 until present. Hispanic immigrants from Mexico and other Central American countries completed the survey. The most common self-reported diseases were allergies, asthma, diabetes, lung disease and cardiovascular disease. High blood pressure and diabetes were the two most common diagnoses among insured, older females. Health education, disease prevention and nutrition were the top health concerns among participants. Deficits in health care infrastructure for this largely transient community may compromise their ability to meet health care needs and concerns. Similar issues may be faced by other disadvantaged Hispanic communities in the continental US and likely to be influenced by anticipated provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Culturally-Tailored Education Programs to Address Health Literacy Deficits and Pervasive Health Disparities among Hispanics in Rural Shelbyville, Kentucky.

OBJECTIVES: This investigation was conducted to evaluate the impact of culturally-tailored education on health knowledge among Hispanic residents of rural, Shelbyville, KY. DESIGN: The program identified specific pathways to address health literacy deficits and disparities identified through a community-wide health assessment completed in 2010. RESULTS: A total of 43 Hispanic males who shared deficiencies in community-wide health infrastructure were enrolled in the program. The curriculum included an introductory session followed by five, subject-specific, sessions offered on a weekly basis from February to April 2011. Pre/post-test assessments showed marked improvement in knowledge base for all participants after each session, most notably related to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The group reconvened in January 2012 for follow-up instruction on cardiovascular disease and diabetes, as well as global assessment of knowledge retention over a nine-month period. Comparisons of pre/post testing in cardiovascular disease and diabetes, as well as global health-related knowledge showed significant gains for all parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Health education programs that embrace perceptions of the community of their own health, and that integrate knowledge into culturally-sensitive education, significantly improved health knowledge among Hispanic residents in rural Kentucky. Such gains may translate into sustainable improvements in health literacy and help reduce health disparities.

Environmental risk factors of disease in the Cameron Park Colonia, a Hispanic community along the Texas-Mexico border.

OBJECTIVES: This report summarizes the results of a cross-sectional study in Cameron Park in 2000-2001 to identify disease prevalence and health concerns among colonia residents and to identify environmental exposures to potentially adverse environmental conditions. RESULTS: Asthma and allergies were among the most prevalent respiratory diseases reported in both adults and children of Cameron Park. Other diseases affecting the community in higher numbers included diabetes and heart disease/high blood pressure. Among children, the most prevalent health conditions were asthma, followed by lung diseases, allergies, and to a lesser degree, skin rashes. CONCLUSIONS: These data can be useful in developing education and intervention programs to address the public health and medical issues impacting residents in the Cameron Park Colonia of Texas.