Health & Wellness
Poverty, low literacy rates, access problems and the lack of insurance are linked to poor health. All are challenges in Latino communities. Latinos are disproportionately affected by some of the most serious health problems facing our country such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and stroke, depression, asthma, and certain cancers. The lack of health insurance impedes the ability of many Latinos to attain benefits of preventive care services. As a result, Latinos often suffer from complication due to chronic disease.

And whether they are insured or not, they face the challenge of receiving care in a manner culturally and linguistically appropriate for the growing number of patients with limited English proficiency as well as low levels of health literacy.

Both Latinos and African Americans suffer serious health problems and as they age, a growing number live sedentary lives causing premature aging and chronic disease. The prevalence of inactivity is also lower among women. SER National serves close to 3,000 older adults in its community service employment program with Latinos making up 29 percent, African Americans making up another 29 percent and women making up 68 percent. The average age is 67. SER is concerned about the future of this older age group and the many seniors who need to maintain jobs to sustain their live hood.

SER National has set a goal to establish Health and Wellness programs for Latinos and older adults in our programs. SER will take an active role in advocating for an increase in health education as well as the benefits of a more active lifestyle to reduce the risks of disease and disability.

 
Related Information
The Costs of Health Care Grows
Overall, health care makes up a growing share of the nation’s economy – costs continue to grow faster than income and there is no reason to believe this won’t continue. From 2005 to 2006, spending on Medicare doubled with hospital care accounting for a large portion of overall spending. But only an estimated 5% of the trillion dollars spent on health care services is allocated to prevention.

The National Institute of Aging has laid a foundation to support a national initiative to increase physical activity for mid-life and older adults and other organizations have joined the effort in collecting statistics and establishing need. But each local community or organization must also take the lead to prove that it can be done.

SER is committed to this initiative.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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