Latinos are the least likely racial or ethnic group to seek medical care, according to a new report by the Census Bureau.
While Americans are visiting the doctor less often than they did a decade ago, 42 percent of Hispanics never visit a doctor during the year, the census study found.
A lack of insurance coupled with an “optimistic outlook” on their health are the two biggest reasons Latinos avoid a trip to the doctor, according to the report. Thirty-three percent of Hispanics say their health is excellent most of the time, according to a recent article in NBC Latino.
Latinos often work poor-paying jobs for small businesses that do not provide health insurance, and are half as likely to have insurance as non-Hispanics. Latinos are also more likely to be self-employed, which makes getting coverage difficult, according to the Commonwealth Fund.
Despite the low frequency of doctors’ visits, most Latinos live longer than non-Hispanics, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. The Census Bureau’s report shows 72 percent of Hispanics never use prescription drugs, even though ailments like diabetes or arthritis are common in Latinos.
