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Dicho del mes Education Health Hispanics as Consumers Identity Immigration Dicho del mes Al nopal lo van a ver sólo cuando tiene tunas. (The prickly pear has company only when it bears fruit).
Increased interest in science, engineering and math among Latino students Latino high school students are increasingly more interested in math, science and engineering, with a decrease of interest in technology, according to a study by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation and the National Research Center for College and University Admissions. Studies have shown that the United States will face a critical shortage of engineers, scientists and other technically trained workers in the near future. “With baby-boomers soon leaving the workforce, America needs to invest in the next generation and this study shows the burgeoning Latino community is a great place to start,” said Jose Antonio Tijerino of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. The study found that the number of Hispanic students interested in science nearly doubled in the last seven years, from 4.4 percent to 7.2 percent. Interest in math grew from 1.1 percent to 2.1 percent. However, Hispanic students interested in technology decreased by 45 percent over an eight-year span. Experts are also concerned about bridging the gap between the students’ “interest” and actual college achievement. Source: “Increased interest in science, engineering and math among Latino High School Students,” Oct. 19, 2007, http://www.hispanicad.com.
Limited English proficiency is a barrier to good health care Two new studies emphasize the importance of English proficiency to ensure adequate medical care. One study evaluated the quality of health care to 1,792 Latinos who had health insurance. Forty percent of the subjects described their English as “poor” or “fair.” Latinos in this group scored lower on three of four health care quality measures. They were twice as likely as Latinos with “good” to “excellent” English to have no regular source of health care or to lack continuity of care. Latinos with limited English also had more problems with long waits in the waiting room and with getting medical advice by telephone. English proficiency did not affect the ability to get medical appointments by phone. Another study, by the Tomás Rivera Policy Institute, found some substance to the widely-accepted belief that Latinos in the U.S. tend to be healthier than the average population. The results reveal that, of seven key health outcomes, the Latino’s tend to have getter outcomes for mental health issues, asthma and high blood pressure. Source: “Hispanics’ Limited English Proficiency is a Barrier for Getting Good Health Care Services,” Associated Content, November 5, 2007, http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/437168/hispanics_limited_english_proficiency.html, and “Revisiting the Latino Health Paradox,” The Thomas Rivera Policy Institute, August 2007, http://www.trpi.org/PDFs/Latino%20Paradox%20Aug%202007%20PDF.pdf
Hispanic gift card use soars According to a recent gift card survey, retailers are seeing an increase in the cash value amount and use of gift cards among Hispanics. In fact, Hispanics received gift cards with an average value of $71. By comparison, Caucasians received gift cards with an average value of $41 and African Americans $60. The Hispanic total was 33 percent higher than last year. Hispanics are also more likely than the other ethnic groups studied to spend more at the store than the value of their cards, adding their own money to increase their purchasing power. Sixty-nine percent of Hispanics said they spent more than the value of the card, 52 percent of Caucasians and 44 percent of African-Americans reported doing so. The survey results are based on 800 Internet surveys collected from Sept. 12 to 18, 2007, by Comdata Stored Value Solutions’ fifth annual gift card survey. Source: “Hispanic Gift Card Use Soars 33 Percent, According to New Comdata Study,” Nov. 5, 2007, Comdata, http://www.comdata.com
Most Latinos show moderate attachment to their home countries Most Latino immigrants maintain some kind of connection to their native country by sending money, making visits or calling relatives, according to the Pew Hispanic Center’s 2006 National Survey of Latinos. The extent of their attachment varies considerably. Only 10 percent do all three of the transnational activities; 28 percent do none. Sixty-three percent show moderate attachment to their home countries by engaging in one or two of the activities. The survey revealed that there are significant differences in the level of attachment based on country of origin. Colombians and Dominicans maintained more active connections than Mexicans; Cubans have the least contact. Source: “Between here and there: How attached are Latino Immigrants to their native country?” Pew Hispanic Center, Oct. 29, 2007, http://pewhispanic.org
Immigration raids create emotional trauma for children For every two people detained in immigration enforcement operations, one child is left behind, according to a report by the National Council of La Raza. Two-thirds of the children are U.S. citizens and two-thirds are under age 10. The study found that workplace raids forced schools, child care providers and extended families to act swiftly as safety nets for the children. The vast majority of children left behind lost one parent in a raid; 17 percent of the children had both parents arrested. The children reported experiencing the emotional trauma from their parents’ sudden absence, often personalizing the cause of the separation and feeling abandoned or fearful that their parents could be abruptly taken away. Mental health experts noted that the raids led to depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, separation anxiety and suicidal thoughts in children. In light of this report, the National Council of La Raza has asked Congress to hold hearings as soon as possible regarding the status of children in the aftermath of immigration workplace raids. Source: “Immigration raids create economic distress and emotional trauma for children, new report finds,” October 31, 2007, http://www.urban.org.
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