Research says Hispanics with illness live longer than whites with illness

Marcus Atkinson

HispanicOhio.com editor

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Reports are out saying new research conclusions suggest despite all the health issues Latinos face; they live longer than non-Hispanic whites.

John Ruiz, Ph.D., who is assistant professor at the University of North Texas’s Department of Psychology, says the research is a natural paradox.

“The Hispanic paradox refers to the surprising finding that despite having a worse risk factor profile, Hispanics and Latinos tend to have better health than non-Hispanic Whites,” Ruiz told VOXXI.

Studies suggest Hispanics participants have much higher survival rates for health issues like cancer, heart disease, HIV, lupus, diabetes, kidney disease and strokes.

Confused? Well, if a Hispanic and a non-Hispanic white have the exact same heart condition, the Hispanic is likely to live longer.

But why?

Though there is no conclusive reason why, Ruiz has some theories

1. The Hispanic community has a stronger social bong with family and friends which could lead to a stronger desire to live longer despite the condition
2. Hispanics may have biologically have a stronger immune system, causing medical conditions to progress slower than non-Hispanic whites, in addition this stronger immune system may deflect common sicknesses such as a cold or flu, meaning even though a Hispanic may have heart disease, a flu will not compound the problem

Like most studies, may questions need to be answered, though Ruiz has theories, they are just that and when scientist can figure why such a paradox exist, it may help us all.