In an essay of 750-1,000 words, compare and contrast the health status of the minority group you have selected to the national average. Consider the cultural, socioeconomic, and sociopolitical barriers to health. How do race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and education influence health for the minority group you have selected? Address the following in your essay: What is the current health status of this minority group? How is health promotion defined by the group? What health disparities exist for this group?

 Health Promotion among Diverse Populations According to the 2010 U.S. census report, approximately 36 percent of the population belong to a racial or ethnic minority, of which 17 percent is represented by the Hispanic community. (“Minority Health," 2014, p. 1). The author of this paper has chosen to compare and contrast the health status of the Hispanic community to the national average in the United States. In order to promote health and wellness, it is first of all necessary to assess the overall health, morbidity and mortality rates of the Hispanic population. This ethnic group is comprised of several different nationalities including, but not limited to, the well-established populations of Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans as well as the relatively newer groups of Dominicans, Salvadorians, Guatemalans and Columbians. There are many variations in health status among these groups, but all have a common denominator when it comes to mortality. The leading causes of death among the Hispanic community includes, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic liver disease and
cirrhosis, chronic lower respiratory disease, stroke, unintentional injuries, kidney disease, influenza and pneumonia. ("Minority Health," 2014, p. 2). Among all of these debilitating disorders, Diabetes is the most prevalent condition in the Hispanic population. Compared with non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics have a higher rate of type 2 diabetes. Using the data from the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, it was found that 27.7 percent of Hispanics had diabetes compared to 13.6 percent of non- Hispanic whites. (Mitchell, 2006, Chapter 9). Cancer is the leading cause of death in all racial and ethnic groups. While Hispanics have a higher rate of certain cancers, including cervical and stomach cancer, they experience an overall lower cancer incidence that non-Hispanic whites in breast, lung, prostate, colon and rectal cancer. (Mitchell, 20