Malnutrition, Health Problems Rise Among US Latinos As More Live In Poverty

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About 1 in 4 senior citizens in the U.S. go hungry every day and are suffering from malnutrition according to some of the latest data, which were reported at the recent Gerontological Society of America's (GSA) Annual Scientific Meeting in Orlando, Fla.

"The problem with malnutrition is especially challenging for those 65 or older because it can trigger or worsen chronic diseases. Poor nutrition may increase the chances of infection, delay normal healing and result in longer hospital stays. Not only does poor nutrition affect the health and well-being of elders, but it can also create significant financial distress," according to an article from New America Media.

And, this sad reality is brought about by poverty and is especially true among many of the Latinos elders who have low income. This lack of financial resources is the primary reason why there is also the lack of healthy food options for them.

The US Census Bureau came up with a new data that shows Latinos are two times more likely to be living in poverty as compared to their white counterparts in Sonoma County. After the recession, the data also revealed that 20 percent of Latinos in the area are either at the federal poverty level of living below it.

"During the five-year period ending in 2014, an average of 19.6 percent of Latinos in Sonoma County lived at or below the poverty line, compared to 9.3 percent of white residents. In 2014, the federal poverty level was $14,580 for an individual and $29,820 for a family of four," according to the Press Democrat.

But for some people like Tim Reese, executive director of Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County, a local nonprofit group that provides services to low-income residents, the numbers could even be higher than what the data show.

This is because many of those who belong to poor families were most likely to have been excluded as they were living in remote areas like those agricultural workers who live in "out-of-sight" rural housing, or those undocumented immigrants who are living "off the grid" because of their status, says Reese.

Meanwhile, Oscar Chavez, assistant director of the county Human Services Department, said that Latinos are earning $15,000 less than white Americans and this could be attributed to the disparity in their educational attainment.

"Closing the achievement gap is not only key to help our youth realize their full potential but also crucial to the well-being of our community and economic competitiveness," he said.