Awareness of hypertension and diabetes in the Hispanic community.

Major barriers to awareness and control of hypertension and diabetes in Hispanic Americans include poor language comprehension, poor physician-patient communication, cultural differences, low educational level, and lack of health insurance. To better communicate the concerns about the risk factors for cardiovascular disease, physicians could use patient-education materials that include illustrations, familiarize themselves with their Hispanic patients and their preferences regarding communication (e.g., formality, close proximity, appropriately used touch), and advocate government action to make health insurance more affordable. An increase in Spanish-speaking physicians would help alleviate some of the confusion that Hispanic patients experience in their interactions with health care providers.