ABSTRACT
This chapter identifies the major health problems of Latinos, in light of both their economic and legal status. Latino men and women obtained some occupational upgrading during the 1980s. However, a relatively high proportion of Latino workers are employed in lower tiered, lower skilled, and lower paid occupations than the non-Latino work force. Women, in general, were employed disproportionately in positions providing technical, sales, and administrative support, but non-Latino women have much higher proportions in managerial and administrative occupations than Latino women. The concentration of Latinos in primarily service, blue-collar, and agricultural jobs has considerable implications for the overall health status of this group and the overall direct and indirect labor market health costs. Latino diversity not only makes it difficult to generalize about specific health problems facing Latinos, but also results in laws, such as the Immigration Reform and Control Act, having a disproportionate impact on newer Latino immigrants.
