MA & Looking to the Future

The population of the United States is expected to grow from 296 million in 2005 to 438 million in 205 of which 82% of that increase will be due to immigration. (Passel & D'Vera, 2008) Of the many immigrant groups set to be part of the increase, by far the largest of these groups is the Mexican American which will see a rise in population from 1.3 million currently to 14.7 million by the year 2050. (Angel, 2011) With such a large increase in population number, it is imperative that the social and cultural dynamics of this group of people be understood. With a better understanding of these factors, those that help can be encouraged, and those that do not can be addressed. A good example of this is familism. It was once believed that familism was a roadblock to socioeconomic mobility. (Tienda & Mitchell, 2006) However, some studies have found that familism, within the MA family, may actually provide a certain amount of protection from poverty in the form of extended family networks, family cohesion, and social support. It is practices like familism that may be encouraged so that those in need may not fall victims to isolation due to their lack of English and formal education. Taking advantage of familism, government agencies and health care agencies may look to get that larger social and family network more involved in the care of their elderly family members in an attempt at reducing both the moral and financial cost to society when this elderly and vulnerable population sometimes goes untreated, mistreated, or under-treated.

Angel, J. (2011, April 28). Aging in america: The latino perspective. Know. Retrieved from http://www.utexas.edu/know/2011/04/28/angel_jacqueline/

Passel, J., & D'Vera, C. (2008, February 11). U.s. population projections: 2005-2050 . Retrieved from http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2008/02/11/us-population-projections-2005-2050/

Tienda, M., & Mitchell, F. (2006). Hispanics and the future of america. (p. 149). Washington: The National Academies Press.

MA and Curanderas

Closing out the last blog, it was noted how education is a powerful and much needed tool in combating the negative affects of cumulative disadvantage. One aspect where education may have the greatest influence may be in educating MA about their option for treatment and how some options may be more beneficial than others. With so many going uninsured in the United States, a report found that Mexican Americans “…report fewer health care visits, are less likely to have a usual source of care, and more often receive care in Mexico”. (Angel, and Angel 1264-1271 ) This is of particular importance within the MA community since some MA still seek treatment from people like curanderas, or healers that rely on herbs, foods, massages, and religious objects to help cure the sick. (Stoller and Gibson 281) More often than not these healers have no background in medicine and may be preying on the elderly rather than helping them as many charge for their services, and like any business, would appreciate a constant customer base. This may lead curanderas to discouraging traditional medicine that may be more beneficial to someone suffering from illnesses like diabetes that, in most cases, can be treated with nutritional education and subsequent modification, and insulin injections; ideas and treatments of which a curandera may not be familiar with or willing to consider as it may drive away paying client. Those susceptible to accepting treatment that may not help or cure their under lying condition may be the under/uninsured who look to alternative treatment since they can’t afford traditional treatment. In the MA community elderly Mexican Americans have the highest percentage of uninsured at 33 to 40%. (Ruiz)

Angel, Ronald J., and Jacqueline L. Angel, et. al."Stability and Change in Health Insurance Among Older Mexican Americans: Longitudinal Evidence From the Hispanic Established Populations for Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly." American Journal of Public Health. 92.8 (2002): 1264-1271 . Print.

Ruiz, P. 1993. “Access to Health Care for Uninsured Hispanics: Policy Recommendations.” Hospital and Community Psychiatry 44, np. 10 (October): 958-62.

Stoller, Eleanor Palo, and Rose Campbell Gibson. Worlds Of Difference. 3. Thousand

Oaks: Pine Forge Press, 2000. 127-281. Print.