This is thanks to our higher levels of melanin, it's like a built-in SPF. However, we come in many different shades so being Latina doesn't mean that we're immune to the negative effects of the sun. Even darker skin can burn and be highly susceptible to pigment irregularities (manchas!) as we age.
UCLA scientists noticed that the blood of Latinos aged more slowly than other groups. A UCLA study is the first to show that Latinos age at a slower rate than other ethnic groups.
One explanation is that cultural factors—such as better health habits and stronger networks of social support in the Hispanic community—may offer protection from some diseases and lead to longer lives.
“Latinos live longer than Caucasians, despite experiencing higher rates of diabetes and other diseases,” Horvath said. “Our study helps explain this by demonstrating that Latinos age more slowly at the molecular level.”
Latinas are dedicated, loyal and will put their heart and soul into whatever it is they are doing. Whether it be their career, home, children, men, hobby, etc. Latinas excel at what they set their mind to. Culturally, Latinx households have a matriarch whom is respected, admired and is the “leader” of the family.
Hispanics have higher fertility than Whites both because they intend more children at the start of their reproductive lives and because they are more likely to exceed these intentions.
Latin Americans are an affectionate people who love hugs and accompany a kiss on the cheek with every saludo (hello and goodbye). Latinos and Latinas will get up close and personal, even when meeting for the first time. If they are close friends or family, the bear hug and cheek kiss come as a package deal.
Hispanics can expect to live to 78.8 years, while whites can expect to live 77.6 years. Some of the Hispanic lifespan advantage is attributed to social behaviors, such as having strong community and multi-generational households.
The Hispanic Health Paradox also described as the Latino or Epidemiologic Paradox, refers to the relatively good health of Latinos within the US, despite what lower levels of socioeconomic status might predict [1].
Lighter features typically indicate a paler skin tone, which—as previously noted—is more prone to sun damage (the number-one risk factor for fast-tracked aging.) “Having less melanin in your skin may also predispose you to premature aging due to photodamage,” says Dr. Preminger.
Racial gaps in life expectancy have long been recognized. The same CDC data show that nationally, Hispanic Americans have the longest life expectancy, followed by white and then Black Americans.
Provisional data from 2020 show that overall life expectancy across all racial/ethnic groups was 77.3 years (Figure 13). Life expectancy for Black people was only 71.8 years compared to 77.6 years for White people and 78.8 years for Hispanic people. Life expectancy was even lower for Black males at only 68 years.
Asian-Americans top the list at 86.5 years, with Latinos following closely behind at 82.8 years. Third of the five groups are Caucasians, with an average life expectancy of about 78.9 years, followed by Native Americans at 76.9 years. The final group, African Americans, has a life expectancy of 74.6 years.
Life expectancy increased by 0.2 years for Hispanic females (from 83.8 to 84.0). Life expectancy remained unchanged for non-Hispanic black females (78.1).
While the largest explained causes of the pay gap include the segregation of Latinas into lower-paying occupations and a history of discrimination and bias in hiring and salary decisions, a significant part of the pay gap can't be accounted for by these factors.
A: About 70 percent of Hispanics have curly or wavy hair.
The low average income and educational attainment of Hispanics are obstacles to receiving timely and appropriate health care. Low-income people are less able to afford the out-of-pocket costs of care, even if they have health insurance coverage.
Hispanic/Latinx communities show similar vulnerability to mental illness as the general population, but they face disparities in both access to and quality of treatment. More than half of Hispanic young adults ages 18-25 with serious mental illness may not receive treatment.
Hispanic cultures fear being labeled “loco” if they express mental anxiety or concerns, and do not want be viewed as weak or mentally unfit. It is more acceptable to have a neurological or physical condition so many describe their mental health symptoms in physical terms rather than emotional.
Now, however, it has been shown that the real answer is much simpler: Latinos just age more slowly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Latinos in the United States live an average of three years longer than Caucasians, with a life expectancy of 82 versus 79.
Experts attribute the "Hispanic paradox" to a number of factors. The Latino population tends to be younger, compared to other demographic groups. Hispanics also have lower smoking rates, better diet and better general health - at least in the first few years after immigrating into the US.
Research has consistently reported low condom use among Latino populations in the USA (Knipper et al. 2007; Harvey and Henderson 2006; Fernandez-Esquer et al. 2004).
A Collectivist Culture With Strong Family Values (Familismo)
Latinos tend to be highly group-oriented. A strong emphasis is placed on family as the major source of one's identity and protection against the hardships of life. This sense of family belonging is intense and limited to family and close friends.
The four Group Traits that best characterize the Hispanic segment are Cultural Duality, Optimism, Warmth, and Tuned-In.
The fertility rate in the United States in 2020 was 56.0 per 1,000 women ages 15-44. Of all live births in the United States during 2018-2020 (average), 23.7% were Hispanic, 52.1% were white, 15.2% were black, 0.8% were American Indian/Alaska Native and 6.8% were Asian/Pacific Islander.