311231
End of Life Issues Affecting the Latino Community: A Public Health Approach
Research has shown that the aging Latino population is experiencing growth at an alarming rate. Additionally, diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease and dementia disproportionately affect them. The extensive debilitating sequelae of chronic disease can compromise quality of life and may often lead to decisions about long-term care and end-of-life (EOL) planning. Thus, this pilot study will examine what is known about long-term care and EOL planning in Latino elderly populations and how public health efforts can intervene.
Methodology
A meta-analysis approach was used: electronic databases (PUBMED, CDC.gov, Google Scholar), current journals, bibliographies of relevant articles and graduate thesis relevant to end of life issues were gathered. From 2009 to 2012, eleven sources have been identified. Studies were considered in scope if they discussed within Latino populations, chronic disease and illness incidence and prevalence data for Latino populations; aging and chronic disease; long-term care and end of life planning; and hospice care.
Results
Findings indicate that Latino populations are not engaging long-term care and EOL planning due to lack of knowledge about such processes. Additionally, they experience unique barriers such as difficulty with language that can impede their ability to prepare for long-term care and the end-of-life.
Conclusion
Given the aforementioned results, education efforts in the Latino elderly communities should focus on eliminating the lack of information by creating long-term care and EOL planning education materials that are both informative and culturally appropriate.
Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and preventionPlanning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education
Learning Objectives:
Assess long-term care and end-of-life issues in the Latino community using a public health perspective.
Keyword(s): Aging, Latinos
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: As a Master of Public Health student, my research focus has included long-term care and end-of-life planning in Latino communities.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.