Latinos are destined to have a unique impact on the future of the U.S. economy and public health. The Census Bureau projects that by the year 2040, 22.3 percent of the population will be Latino. But, alarming health statistics reflect a grim picture. While the population will increase, so will the number of Latinos with a chronic disease.

This projection can change for the better because many of these diseases are preventable. For example, 47% of heart attack and stroke victims die before emergency and medical response arrives. Therefore, the knowledge of symptoms and the timing of a call to 9-1-1 are critical.

Education on the signs and symptoms of each disease, the risk factors involved and understanding the importance of health prevention are the key strategies to becoming a healthier community.

Do you know the Top 6 Leading Causes of Death among Latinos, their symptoms and risk factors? Here is your chance to learn about them.

Heart Disease – The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood to all parts of the body. An abnormality in this organ and/or its function (to maintain blood circulation throughout our body) is the leading cause of death for Hispanics. Risk factors: A diet high in cholestral and saturated fats cause artery clogging, smoking, obesity, diabetes and physical inactivity. Symptoms: Chest discomfort, shortness of breath, breaking out in a cold sweat, or nausea, or light-headedness.

Lung Cancer deaths – Lungs are organs inside our rib cage designed to inhale oxygen (a gas) and exhale carbon dioxide (a waste gas). Lung caner damages the lungs ability to inhale and exhale gases. Non-small cell lung cancer is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths in Hispanic/Latinos. Risk Factors that influence the mechanics of breathing are: Asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning (a product of smoking) Symptoms: Shortness of breath, coughing that doesn’t go away, wheezing, coughing up blood, chest pain, fever, or weight loss.

Motor Vehicle crashes – are leading cause of death for Hispanic/Latinos from ages 1 – 44 and 3rd leading cause of death for of all ages due to low seat belt usage rate and accidental cigarette burns while driving.

Stroke –Strokes or brain attacks occur in the brain when the blood supply is blocked causing the vessel to burst. Strokes account for 6% of Latino deaths. Risk Factors: High blood pressure, High blood cholesterol, obesity, smoke inhalation, and a diet high in saturated fat. Symptoms: Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arms, or legs, sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding others, sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance, or coordination, or sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Diabetes – 10% of Hispanics are diabetics, Type 2 being the most prevalent. Diabetes is a disease in which the blood sugar levels are above normal. A sugar build up in the blood of the individual is a result of their body’s inability to make enough usable insulin. Risk factors: are heart diseases, obesity, smoking (carbon monoxide affecting the blood circulation adding to amputation risks. Symptoms: frequent urination, excessive thirst, unexplained weight loss, extreme hunger, sudden vision changes, tingling or numbness in hands or feet, feeling very tired much of the time, very dry skin, sores that are slow to heal, or more infections than usual.

Respiratory Disease (Asthma) – Asthma is a disease that affects the lungs. The bronchial tubes constrict, reducing the size of the airways thereby reducing the amount of air flow. Risk factors linked to asthma are: Smoking and second-hand smoke, obesity, indoor mold and allergies. Symptoms: wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing.

Latinos should make tobacco control a priority as tobacco’s negative effects are noted to be linked to every epidemic disease in this community. Adelante, The Latino Resource Center mission is to empower Latinos through education, health and other social services. We are committed to delivering quality health interventions such as health promotion and disease prevention programs that will foster a healthy community.

The Si Puedo program is designed to provide assistance, through a science based approach, to individuals who wish to quit smoking. To learn more about how to quit smoking and resources available please call 419-244-8440.