Salt Lake survey of health care and health beliefs: a comparison of Hispanics and Anglo-Americans

This cross-sectional pilot study compared 30 Hispanic and 50 Anglo-American health care users of similar socioeconomic backgrounds living in Utah. Of the four indices of health care utilization tested, only satisfaction with medical care showed significant differences between groups. This finding suggests that these Hispanics utilize health services at the same rate as Anglo-Americans. Certain indices of social organization and health orientation revealed significant differences between the groups. It could not be determined, however, how these social differences affected the rate of use of health services. Nevertheless, these findings confirm several assumptions and premises in the Hispanic literature and support previous research findings as well as confirm obvious cultural differences. It is suggested that health care systems that are sensitive to the sociocultural and health orientation differences of Hispanic-Americans can provide adequate services to this fastest-growing-population of the United States. Furthermore, it is suggested that when Hispanics utilize available health services, their general health status fares well with that of Anglo-Americans. Minimization of health barriers (i.e., economic and language) can contribute to this accomplishment.