The research was conducted and results released by the Los Angeles County Department of Health
The Los Angeles County Department of Health has released its 2023 health care survey results and determined that visible minorities faced a slew of inequities.
The survey involved the participation of thousands of residents of the county
There were 9,372 adults and 7,391 kids from LA county that participated in the wellness survey. The research examined a range of issues, including everything from health care to insurance access and from housing to the way these factors affect mental and physical wellness.
The survey findings shared by the department showed that Black and Latinx county residents have a greater risk of medical issues associated with diabetes and hypertension. Both of these medical conditions have seen an exponential increase since 1997.
The health care and wellness data are interpreted as a major inequity issue
“The 2023 L.A. County Health Survey findings confront us with the stark realities of how historical inequities continue to shape the health and well-being of our communities, especially among our Black and Latinx residents,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, the department’s public health director.
LA County Nutrition and Physical Activity Program Director Dipa Shah-Patel underscored the findings reported by the department, stating that they have seen that the Black and Latinx populations in the county experience notably higher diabetes diagnoses in comparison with Asian and Caucasian populations.
That said, while Asian populations were faring better than certain other visible minority groups in certain categories, they lagged in others. More specifically, Asian adults born in the United States reported a higher prevalence of feelings of loneliness and of suicidal thoughts than any other racial or ethnic group.
Not just a medical access issue
Moreover, in the region, the survey results showed that the wellness struggles in Black and Latinx populations aren’t limited to access to health care. Both of those visible minority groups are also reporting problems with access to shelter when compared to Asian and Caucasian adults in the county. The survey also reported similar trends with respect to food insecurity.
These health care and wellness surveys are conducted once every five years.
