Bridging the Health Gap in the Latino Community: A Call to Action for Awareness and Preventive Care

For too long, health challenges in our Latino community have quietly eroded our well-being. This is more than just statistics—it’s about our loved ones, our families, and our friends. Cultural and systemic barriers, coupled with the daily struggle to make ends meet, often make us hesitant to seek medical care. This hesitation is particularly strong among Latino men, who face serious health risks like obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and liver disease but often avoid the doctor until it’s too late. We can’t let this continue. We owe it to ourselves and our families to prioritize our health.

The statistics are alarming. Hispanic adults are less likely than other Americans to have health insurance or receive preventive care, according to the Pew Research Center. We know the reasons—language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, tight budgets. But when we do get care, most of us (56%) report that it’s excellent or very good. That means there’s compassionate, quality care waiting once we push past these barriers. The challenge is getting more of us to take that step.

And the gap between men and women in healthcare is concerning. Latino men are much less likely than Latinas to visit the doctor, even when they’re seriously ill. This isn’t just a personal choice; it’s about cultural expectations, misinformation, and a lack of awareness. The consequences are serious. Latino men are at higher risk for conditions that could often be managed or even prevented with timely care.

Allow me to share a story from our own community to illustrate the importance of acting when something doesn’t feel right. My good friend Jorge Morales, former Mayor of South Gate, had been complaining of numbness on his right side while attending the California Contract Cities Association’s monthly city managers meeting a week ago. Santa Fe Springs City Manager Rene Bobadilla insisted on getting Jorge to a nearby fire station for an evaluation. Paramedics assessed Jorge and recommended he be transported to the hospital ASAP as he was displaying several signs of a stroke. Rene’s quick action to get Jorge checked out by medical professionals at the Santa Fe Springs Fire Department very likely saved Jorge’s life.

Jorge who had previously battled melanoma, was found to have a malignant brain tumor. Swelling because of the tumor was causing Jorge to experience stroke-like symptoms. Without Rene’s quick thinking, that tumor might have gone unnoticed for much longer.

This story is a wake-up call for all of us. It shows the importance of staying on top of our health and acting quickly when something seems off. For Jorge, Rene’s quick thinking and the sound recommendations of first responders made all the difference. But not everyone will be so lucky. We need to take their story to heart and make sure we respond promptly to health concerns, whether for ourselves or our loved ones.

Jorge’s experience has made me think about the upcoming Contract Cities Association Fall Educational Summit. This year, we’re dedicating a session to the importance of wellness and mental health for local elected officials. While the summit is aimed at those in public service, the message applies to all of us: awareness, education, and proactive health measures are crucial.

As a community, it’s time to confront these health disparities and cultural barriers head-on. We need to encourage our fathers, brothers, and sons to move past the hesitation and get regular check-ups, follow-ups, and preventive care. We can’t wait until a crisis forces us to act. By staying on top of our health, advocating for ourselves and our families, and ensuring we have access to the care we need, we can make a real difference.

We must have more open, honest conversations about our health, break down cultural stigmas, and push for healthcare that’s accessible to everyone. Together, we can close the health gap that’s affecting so many Latino families. Our health, our lives, and our community’s future depend on it.

Marcel Rodarte is the Executive Director of California’s Contract Cities Association.