Number one in the wrong category!

In sports, the chant is infectious; “We’re number One!” Unfortunately for Latinas, being number one in the wrong category, as is the case in a number of medical groupings, is just bad news. And, as the Latino population grows, as is projected between now and the middle of the century, this regrettable distinction will also grow exponentially.

One example of this dubious ascendancy is reflected in heart disease where, according to the Center for Disease Control, Latinas now outpace all other groups and genders in mortality. In fact, according to the CDC, heart disease is now the number one cause of death among Hispanic females. Together with stroke, heart disease equals one third of all deaths among Latinas.

There are a number of factors that have elevated heart disease to this new and frightening level. Lifestyle choices, though, are what leap out in computing this all-too-manageable condition, including overweight/obesity, diet and lack of exercise.

“I lived in Germany for five years,” said Mariana Leal, a graduate student enjoying a conversation with friend, Alex Cedillo, at a Borders bookstore. “Over there, everyone walks or bikes, foods are healthier. It’s all different than it is here,” she said. “And kids don’t watch nearly the amount of TV that they watch here.”

Though Leal says she works out on a treadmill several days each week, many Latinas who will suffer heart disease don’t exercise at all. Adding to the risk factor for a cardiovascular condition is smoking, which the CDC says is a regular habit for 13 percent of all Latinas.

Lack of exercise, poor diet, lifestyle, inconsistent medical attention and lack of insurance all contribute to the increased health risks for Latinas. “The main source of communications (among Latinos) is within the family,” said Guajardo. “So we listen to hearsay rather than seeing a physician or reading pamphlets. Physicians can explain all the exams available, but that’s if they can get patients in to begin with, and that brings up the problem of (health) insurance.” Another factor, is that too many Latinas avoid doctor visits because their husbands don’t want their wives or daughters to undress in front of male doctors, said Guajardo.

While the debate over a national health insurance has swirled in this campaign year, the most dramatic variable in this medical equation may be that Latinas are the single-most uninsured ethnic group in the ...