Latinos in the Deep South: Challenges and Opportunities for stigma-free and healthy communities

Background: As of 2014, Latinos are recognized as the nation’s largest minority and one of its fastest growing. Latinos are rising in significance both numerically and culturally in many parts of the US Deep South which encompasses seven states: Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. As the size of the Latino population has expanded in the South  a wave of state-level anti-immigration legislation were  also introduced. 

Methods: From 2012-2014, we conducted an environmental scan with regards to five key areas: health, leadership, community organizing, educational attainment, and political power. The mixed method assessment entailed interviews, meetings and discussions with more than 350 stakeholders across the Deep South representing nine key sectors including health care organizations and communities at large.

Results: There are four  key findings: (1) Latinos are living under great fear and highly stigmatized identities on a daily basis, (2) they are subjected to pervasive institutionalized stigma that impacts their ability to access healthcare services, (3) access to mental health providers is a key health concern for Latinos in the Deep South, and (4) prevention behaviors are not a common cultural health script for Latinos in the Deep South.

Conclusions: As we look towards the future, it is of upmost importance that we begin to address the gaps for Latinos in health coverage. Recognizing that each local Latino community is different and faces unique challenges, it is important that we acknowledge this diversity and work towards positive policy and community solutions.