How to Deal with Latino Data: A Guide for Montgomery County Service Providers

1. How to Deal with Latino Data: A Guide for Montgomery County Service Providers A Community Based Strategy For Reducing Health Disparities Latino Health Initiative Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, Maryland Presented by: Graciela Jaschek, MPH; Eduardo Pezo, MPH, JD/MA Candidate (WCL)

2. Latino Health Initiative Background History • In July 2000, Latino community leaders formed the Latino Health Initiative (LHI) with support of the County Executive and County Council • In August 2000, the Latino Health Steering Committee (LHSC) was formed to advocate for Latino health

3. Latino Health Steering Committee (LHSC) • The LHSC is composed of 16 volunteer professionalsand community leaders that work at the national, state and local levels • LHSC members work as a team to provide expert guidance and technical assistance to the LHI and to advocate on behalf of Latino communities

4. Latino Health Initiative Goals • Address health disparities by developing and implementing a plan of action • Engage in an ongoing community based participatory process to determine the major health priorities in the community that need to be addressed

5. Results of a Community Based Participatory Process • In February 2002, the Blueprint for Latino Health 2002-2006 was released • The Blueprint is for policy and decision makers to develop responsive medical care and public health systems that address the basic needs of the community • An updated Blueprint for Latino Health will be released in February 2008

6. Latino Data Workgroup • In 2002, the LDW was created to improve the collection, analysis, and reporting of health data for Latinos (Blueprint Priority Area A) • Composed of 9 volunteer professionals who work in Federal government, academia, and the private sector

7. Latino Data Issues • Lack of data (ex: MD Vital Statistics) • Under-representation of latinos (ex: surveys done by phone, in English) • Under-reporting of data (ex: combining sub-populations, foreign-born/US-born) • Lack of completeness • Lack of accuracy

8. How to Deal with Latino Data • In December 2006, the How to Deal with Latino Data Guide is released

9. How to Deal with Latino Data: Purpose • The Guide is meant to be used by professionals • The Guide is meant to help entities improve data collection, analysis, and reporting efforts

10. How to Deal with Latino Data:Demographics Latinos in the United States: • Largest and fastest growing minority • In 2004, there were 41 million Latinos • Latinos will grow from 14% to 24% of the total population by 2050* • 64% Mexican, 15% Caribbean, 13% Central and South America** * 2005 American Community Survey ** 2006 American Community Survey

11. How to Deal with Latino Data:Demographics Latinos in Montgomery County • Fastest growing minority population* • In 2005 Latinos were 14% of the total county population* • 67% Central and South America, 12% Caribbean, 10% Mexico** * 2005 American Community Survey Data ** 2006 American Community Survey

12. How to Deal with Latino Data:Demographics ctd. The MC Latino population is similar to other Latino populations in the U.S. • The Latino population in MC is young (28.5) • Latino households are large (3.83) • Most Latino households are families (83%) • Most Latinos speak a language other than English at home (90%) • Latinos face many economic challenges * 2005 American Community Survey

13. How to Deal with Latino Data:Community Assets • Richness in diversity • Latinos seek the American dream too • Many skilled professionals • Strong social and community networks • Untapped potential for community leadership • Well developed Spanish media

14. How to Deal with Latino Data:Cultural Considerations Cultural factors: • Strong core values • Strong family ties • Importance of the personal rather than the institutional • Face to face communication preference • Fatalistic attitude about disease

15. How to Deal with Latino Data: Linguistic Considerations Linguistic factors: • Spanish is one language • Not everyone who speaks Spanish can be a translator or interpreter • Translations (written text) • Interpreters (oral communications)

16. How to Deal with Latino Data:Collecting Data from Latinos • Go to the experts: Latinos themselves • Trust from the community is key • Research methods: there are several options • Considerations for survey design, administration, and analysis • Tips for developing and administering forms and surveys • Tips for analyzing and reporting collected data

17. How to Deal with Latino Data: Take-Home Messages • Learn as much as possible about your local Latino community and their contributions • Take the risk to learn new information • Train those collecting information about Latino cultural and language nuances • Do not rely on stereotypes • Ensure data gathering is conducted with methodological rigor, integrity, and patience

18. Lessons Learned • The community knows the solution • Community generated information is credible • Data are vital to any community • Cultural and linguistic issues need to be considered for collection, analysis and dissemination of data

19. Latino Health InitiativeContact Information LHI Offices 240-777-3221 graciela.jaschek@montgomerycounty.gov Website www.lhiinfo.org