Health Disparities in Afro-Latinx Populations: Chronic Health Diseases, Linguistic and Cultural Competency, and Inequities and Barriers in Richmond, Virginia

Afro-Latinx individuals face health disparities that differ from those faced by white Latinx individuals. This literature review was conducted by the Collective Corazón—a VCU student organization, mentored by Dr. Indira Sultanić, that addresses Latinx health equity through service and advocacy—in order to examine the underlying causes of Afro-Latinx health disparities. Skin color is a predictor of health, life expectancy, and quality of life for many Latinx individuals. On average, Afro-Latinx individuals in particular have less access to education, fewer financial freedoms, and poorer health outcomes. The Afro-Latinx community also describes higher rates of discrimination compared to white Latinx individuals. As a result, Afro-Latinx individuals suffer from higher rates of chronic illness, stress, anxiety, and depression. Furthermore, due to a lower average socioeconomic status and decreased education access that many Afro-Latinx individuals face, the prevalence and incidence of chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, are higher for such populations when compared to national averages. Additionally, COVID-19 has exacerbated inequities and unequal access to resources; chronic comorbidities that Afro-Latinx individuals have are also predictors of poor COVID-19 outcomes. In Richmond in particular, another barrier that affects the health of many Afro-Latinx populations is the lack of access to healthcare services and/or insurance. This review argues that increasing cultural competency and racial equity trainings in healthcare systems, addressing social determinants of health, and encouraging connections with community leaders are ways to reduce health disparities that Afro-Latinx individuals face.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/uresposters/1407/thumbnail.jp