A cultural phenomenon called the Hispanic paradox may be causing Latinos to live longer than anyone else, recent data has shown.
Research from John Ruiz, Ph.D., at the University of North Texas, shows that Hispanics have higher survival rates for cancer, heart disease, HIV/AIDS and several other medical conditions, Saludify reported.
“The Hispanic paradox refers to the surprising finding that despite having a worse risk factor profile, Hispanics and Latinos tend to have better health than non-Hispanic Whites,” Ruiz told Saludify. “Within this general finding is evidence that Hispanics may actually live longer than non-Hispanic Whites, a phenomenon that researchers have long-termed the Hispanic mortality paradox. This phenomenon has been controversial due its paradoxical nature and the mixed evidence associated with it.”
Ruiz said Latino cultural values, like focusing on displaying kindness, keeping warm family relationships and the importance of building new relationships are an integral part of the paradox and “may help to build strong social support”, which impacts better health and lower mortality rates.
Moreover, Hispanic resiliency can also be attributed to a combination of biological, behavioral and psychosocial factors, he said.
Based on the findings at the end of all studies related to the Hispanic Paradox conducted in the past 25 years that followed participants over the course of their lives, Hispanics were found to be 17.5 percent more likely to still be alive at the end of the study compared to Non-Hispanics.
“Whether this advantage holds true for other health outcomes such as infection rates, heart attacks or cancer recurrence remains to be studied,” the report said.
(Photo by Shutterstock)
