Ruth Enid Zambrana, Ph.D. is currently a Professor in the Women’s Studies Department and Director of the Consortium on Race, Gender and Ethnicity at the University of Maryland, College Park. She is also an Adjunct Professor of Family Medicine at University of Maryland Baltimore, School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine. Dr. Zambrana served as Interim Director of the US Latino Studies Initiative at the University of Maryland, College Park from 2007-2009. Dr. Zambrana has worked in the areas of health and educational disparities of low-income and Latino women, children and families for over three decades.
Abstract: The United States is known as a "melting pot" yet this mix tends to be volatile and contributes to a long history of oppression, racism, and bigotry. Emerging Intersections, an anthology of ten previously unpublished essays, looks at the problems of inequality and oppression from new angles and promotes intersectionality as an interpretive tool that can be utilized to better understand the ways in which race, class, gender, ethnicity, and other dimensions of difference shape our lives today.
Abstract: Latino children in immigrant families are less likely than their peers to participate in early schooling programs, which puts them at increased risk for learning problems and school failure. Factors such as family structure and size, parental education, and income are strongly associated with early learning experiences, participation in early schooling programs, and later academic performance. The authors present an overview of family, health, and institutional factors associated with access to and enrollment in early schooling programs, and they discuss barriers to participation among low-income Latino families.
Abstract: Objectives This paper compares select health status indicators between the U.S. and Mexico, and within the Mexican-origin population using proxy measures of acculturation. Methods Statistical data were abstracted and a Medline literature review conducted of English-language epidemiologic articles on Mexican-origin groups published during 1976-2005. Results U.S.-born Mexican-Americans have higher morbidity and mortality compared to Mexico-born immigrants. Mexico has lower healthcare resources, life expectancy, and circulatory system and cancer mortality rates, but similar infant immunization rates compared to the U.S. Along the U.S.-Mexico border, the population on the U.S. side has better health status than the Mexican side. The longer in the U.S., the more likely Mexican-born immigrants engage in behaviors that are not health promoting. Conclusions Researchers should consider SEP, community norms, behavioral risk and protective factors when studying Mexican-origin groups. It is not spendingtime in the U.S. that worsens health outcomes but rather changes in health promoting behaviors.
Abstract: This paper describes the level of public emergency knowledge and perceptions of risks among Latin American immigrants, and their preferred and actual sources of emergency preparedness information (including warning signals). Five Latino community member focus groups, and one focus group of community health workers, were conducted in a suburban county of Washington D.C. (N=51). Participants came from 13 Latin American countries, and 64.7% immigrated during the previous five years. Participants had difficulty defining emergency and reported a wide range of perceived personal emergency risks: immigration problems; crime, personal insecurity, gangs; home/traffic accidents; home fires; environmental problems; and snipers. As in previous studies, few participants had received information on emergency preparedness, and most did not have an emergency plan. Findings regarding key messages and motivating factors can be used to develop clear, prioritized messages for communication regarding emergencies and emergency preparedness for Latin American immigrant communities in the U.S.
Abstract: Background. Trust is an important indicator of quality in patient-provider relationships and predicts adherence to certain protective health behaviours. It has been relatively unexplored among low-income or minority women. Objectives. We explored health care experiences that influence patient trust among low-income women in the USA with respect to professionals and lay health workers (LHWs). Methods. Focus groups were conducted with 33 prenatal and postpartum women, aged 18-45 years, recruited from community-based public prenatal care programmes. Focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed, and independently coded by readers. A model of factors associated with trust was developed based on the major thematic categories. Results. Most women were Black (67%) and had completed high school (85%). Factors related to greater trust specific to patient-provider relationships were: continuity of the patient-provider relationship, effective communication, demonstration of caring and perceived competence. Women with less trust in their physicians reported an unwillingness to follow his/her advice. Most women reported having more trusting relationships with LHWs and nurses than with physicians, probably due to greater contact with these staff. Several women with a low level of trust reported experiences of discrimination due to lack of insurance. Conclusions. Prenatal care presents a unique opportunity for providers to contribute to the elimination of health disparities among low-income women. Improving continuity with public health prenatal care providers and building strong relationships with LHWs may enhance quality of care and contribute to achieving this goal. Better patient-provider communication is also a practical area of focus towards improving patient trust.
Abstract: The Latino Consortium of the American Academy of Pediatrics Center for Child Health Research identified the most urgent priorities and answered questions on Latino child health. Discusses research and methodologic issues, disproportionate disease burden and associated risk factors, cultural and linguistic considerations, workforce issues, and health care access and quality. (Contains references.) (SM)
Abstract: Latina students have the highest high school dropout rate of all racial and ethnic groups. This article has three objectives: provide a brief overview of educational trends for Latina students, discuss factors associated with their educational trajectory and suggest strategies for change based on best practice wisdom. Results show that academic disparities between Latina students and other racial/ethnic female students begin as early as kindergarten and remain through age 17; achievement is compromised by a variety of factors, including family responsibilities, family poverty, lack of participation in preschool, attendance at poor quality elementary and high schools, placement into lower-track classes, poor self-image, limited neighborhood resources, lack of presence of role models and gender role attitudes. These disparities contribute to psychosocial issues and are not directly associated with Latino cultural assets, as Latino cultural capital has not been easily translated into social capital in U.S. society. Economic and social change must precede educational change if academic disparities between Latinas and other racial and ethnic girls are to be decreased.
Abstract: Abstract: The limited availability of Hispanic health data has hampered the development of targeted public health policies. Hispanics represent 11.5 percent of the population and are projected to become the largest minority group in the United States by the year 2010. This paper explores current issues in Hispanic health data collection, examines methodological concerns, and presents recommendations for future Hispanic public health data collection. Data are derived from statistical reports of the U.S. Bureau of the Census, National Center for Health Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and other empirical studies. Recommendations include: collecting both race and ethnic-specific data by Hispanic subgroup, designing appropriate data collection instruments and approaches, and selecting referent groups for comparison purposes. The authors conclude that the renewed national focus on health disparities among underserved populations requires an increased commitment to adequately identify Hispanic subgroups.
Abstract: Objectives. This study compares the use of three cancer screening practices (Pap smear, mammogram, and clinical breast examination) 3 years prior to interview among five subgroups of Hispanic women, and examines whether sociodemographic; access; health behavior, perception, and knowledge; and acculturation factors predict screening practices for any subgroup. Methods. Descriptive and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted with data pooled from the 1990 and 1992 National Health Interview Surveys on women who reported that they were Hispanic. The study sample includes 2,391 respondents: 668 Mexican-American, 537 Mexican, 332 Puerto Rican, 143 Cuban, and 711 other Hispanic women. Results. Subgroup profiles reveal differences in education, health insurance, use of English language, and screening use. Mexican women were the least likely to be screened with any procedure. Logistic regression results for each screening practice show that having a usual source of care was a positive predictor for obtaining each of the three screening practices within the last 3 years. Being married, being more than 50 years of age, and having knowledge of breast self-examination were all predictors of having a Pap smear. Having health insurance and ever having had a clinical breast examination and Pap smear were predictors of having a mammography, while age, knowledge of breast self-examination, ever having had a Pap smear and mammogram, and being a nonsmoker all predicted having a clinical breast examination. Conclusions. We conclude that access factors and prior screening are more strongly associated with current screening than are language and ethnic factors. Our data confirm that a disproportionate percentage of Hispanic women are low income and at risk of being underscreened. Our findings from a nationally representative sample of Hispanics have implications for provider practices, ethnic-specific community interventions, and future development of measures and data collection approaches. Copyright 1999 American Health Foundation and Academic Press.
Abstract: Describes social, economic, and family structure variables that place specific Latino subgroups at risk, synthesizes available data on Latino children in the child welfare system, and discusses a direction for ethnic-specific child welfare policy for vulnerable Latino groups. Concludes that family services must promote economic and social integration within society and consider the unique characteristics of each Latino community. (JPB)
Abstract: Explores selected family and individual factors among Mexican American women and two comparison groups of African American and non-Hispanic White women for achieving a graduate degree (master's, Ph.D.). Analysis includes the finding that early child bearing (before or during college) was the strongest predictor of Mexican American women not completing graduate education. (GR)
Abstract: Surveyed 80 Latina mothers to obtain data on reasons for emergency room visit, usual sources of care, child's health, and mother's physical and psychosocial health. Results revealed clear pattern of delayed care for acute problems in children, high number of reported barriers to pediatric care, and high mental distress reported by mothers. (Author/NB)
Abstract: <p>This article reports a study in which 121 urban, low-income Mexican immigrant and Mexican-American mothers were interviewed regarding preferred methods and content of a parent education program. Mexican and Mexican-American mothers are found to be similar in program preferences for (a) delivery mode, (b) individuals with specialized training or experienced parents as staff, (c) extended family involvement, (d) pre-program familiarity with staff, and (f) child-focused content. Mexican mothers report greater concern about the group mode and greater interest in home visiting, extended family member participation, and content related to self/family/environment than Mexican-American mothers.</p>
Abstract: This paper describes the results of a prevention program funded by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism in 1978 for Latino youth in East Harlem. Literature on Latino youth and alcohol use is reviewed, followed by a description of the program, its setting, and its evaluative methodology. (Author/JAZ)
Abstract: <p>This article focuses on child care arrangements, mothering attitudes, and family support systems as they affect the labor force participation of urban Puerto Rican mothers. In general, for women in the United States, paid work outside the home has become a normal part of life and, for most women, a necessary aspect of existence. Puerto Rican women, particularly those in the New York City area, however, have declining, not rising, rates of labor force participation. Our study looked to child care factors for a partial explanation for this work pattern. The study method used in-depth interviews with a sample of 40 Puerto Rican mothers stratified by occupational status. All these mothers have worked outside the home, but not all are currently working. Cultural values toward family care were strongly expressed by the mothers and were found to significantly affect work patterns, particularly for women with erratic work histories. The social policy implications of this study relate to the need to recognize and act on the connection between participation in the labor market and cultural attitudes toward child care for a significant low-income urban minority population.</p>
Abstract: The article provides a perspective on the dilemmas working mothers face due to the contradictory messages that emanate from both popular child-rearing books and clinical studies. Journal Availability: American Academy of Pediatrics, P.O. Box 1034, Evanston, IL 60204. (Author/PHR)
Abstract: The 10 papers in this monograph examine the background, characteristic, social roles, and social-psychological needs of Hispanic women in the United States (especially Puerto Ricans in New York City), and identify possibilities for future research and policies. Based on recent research and other studies, the articles focus on: (1) the interplay between sociocultural factors and Puerto Rican women's mental health needs; (2) the influence of the women's movement on the self concepts and social roles of Puerto Rican women of different generations; (3) problems related to changing family roles, isolation, ethnic identity, acculturation and help-seeking among Hispanic women in suburban New York; (4) clinical findings concerning sex roles and acculturation among Puerto Rican adolescents; (5) relationships between cultural attitudes toward mental illness and use of community mental health services among Puerto Rican women; (6) voluntary reproductive sterilization among Hispanic women in a Connecticut community; (7) determinants of Hispanic children's health status and use of health facilities; (8) patterns and determinants of women's labor force participation in Puerto Rico from 1899 to 1975; (9) the demography, economic profiles, and changing roles and status of Cuban women; and (10) influences of economic factors, Hispanic culture, and stereotypes on Hispanic women's family roles. (Author/MJL)
Abstract: This bibliography contains annotations to over 200 books, reports, papers, and articles on maternal employment. It focuses on critical issues related to maternal employment and the effects of maternal employment on women, their children, and their families. An introduction describes the bibliography and identification of the literature reviewed and briefly reviews some of the resources. The bibliography is organized by genre. Articles in professional journals and clinical studies are most extensively reviewed. They are divided by subtopics: why women work, effects on children, effects on the family, and changing concepts and images of the working mother. Other genres of resources are working mother content of popular child-rearing books, bibliographies on working women, and children's books. For each resource this information is provided: author(s), title, source or place of publication and publisher, date or page numbers, and annotation. A list of technical and governmental reports and papers on maternal employment concludes the bibliography. (YLB)
