ABSTRACT
Hispanics face significant barriers to health care use, including the highest chance of being uninsured despite their great participation in the labor force. These barriers are exacerbated by increasing health care costs as well as the increasing use of managed care. However, although access to medical care is of great importance to all individuals in our society, access to institutional medical care is not, by itself, sufficient to address the needs of the Hispanic population. Those who wish to understand Hispanic health care issues must appreciate not only the challenges facing this population in the context of national health care needs, but also the rich cultural and community resources that contribute to this population’s wellness. To understand Hispanic health, one must appreciate the use of family, friends, and indigenous and religious healers in the Hispanic community.
