Depression is a debilitating and disabling disease. In the United States, racial and ethnic minorities have higher rates of depression than non-minority groups. Hispanics are the fastest growing minority in the United States and will become the predominant ethnic group by 2020. Factors such as high poverty level, lack of health care insurance, inaccessibility to health care, low worker productivity, language barriers, and immigration related stressors, place Hispanics at greater risk for depression. The purpose of this literature review is to increase awareness among primary care providers on screening Hispanics for depression, in order to increase the possibility of adequate and prompt treatment. The review also examines some Hispanic ethnic-specific characteristics such as resilience, family and community integration, and their use as positive factors when battling psychological stressors and treating depression among Hispanics
