Health
Puerto Ricans are relatively high utilizers of
health services, particularly the general medical sector. Rates of utilization of outpatient mental health services in Puerto Rico are similar to findings among the general population in the United States.
Loss of cultural identity is a prominent issue related to Puerto Rican mental health (Flores, 1993). Language barriers also figure prominently in Latino’s use of mental health services (Vega & Alegria, 2001; Prieto et al., 2001; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2001).
Conditions related to “nervios” (nerves) and “ataque de nervios” (attack of nerves, also known as Puerto Rican syndrome) are common signs of psychological distress among many Puerto Ricans, especially those from working class and poor backgrounds.
Extended family support systems among Latinos may serve as a barrier to seeking mental health care because problems like mental illness are dealt with in the privacy of the family.
Recent research has highlighted a self-reliant attitude among Puerto Ricans as a barrier to seeking care (Ortega & Alegria, 2002). This attitude reflects the feeling that people should be strong enough to cope with life’s problems on their own or with the help of family and not need to depend on the mental health system.
Research suggests that Latino values, such as “respeto,” “personalismo,” “familismo," should be incorporated into mental health treatment. Therapies that are more directive-oriented, rather than insight-oriented, and more family-focused, rather than individual-focused, will be more effective with Latinos.
Health services in Puerto Rico are managed by the Department of Health, which is seeking to delegate the delivery of services to the private sector, thereby creating one healthcare system. This change would curb the recent dramatic increase in healthcare costs and avoid duplication of functions.
People access medical services at primary healthcare centers, which then make referrals to higher levels within the system. Public health authorities appear to be focusing less on the actual delivery of daily health services and more on the promotion of healthier lifestyles.
Puerto Ricans have an average life expectancy of 74.5 years. Heart disease and cancer are the two leading causes of death (Pan American Health Organization, 2001).
Sources:
Loss of cultural identity is a prominent issue related to Puerto Rican mental health (Flores, 1993). Language barriers also figure prominently in Latino’s use of mental health services (Vega & Alegria, 2001; Prieto et al., 2001; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2001).
Conditions related to “nervios” (nerves) and “ataque de nervios” (attack of nerves, also known as Puerto Rican syndrome) are common signs of psychological distress among many Puerto Ricans, especially those from working class and poor backgrounds.
Extended family support systems among Latinos may serve as a barrier to seeking mental health care because problems like mental illness are dealt with in the privacy of the family.
Recent research has highlighted a self-reliant attitude among Puerto Ricans as a barrier to seeking care (Ortega & Alegria, 2002). This attitude reflects the feeling that people should be strong enough to cope with life’s problems on their own or with the help of family and not need to depend on the mental health system.
Research suggests that Latino values, such as “respeto,” “personalismo,” “familismo," should be incorporated into mental health treatment. Therapies that are more directive-oriented, rather than insight-oriented, and more family-focused, rather than individual-focused, will be more effective with Latinos.
Health services in Puerto Rico are managed by the Department of Health, which is seeking to delegate the delivery of services to the private sector, thereby creating one healthcare system. This change would curb the recent dramatic increase in healthcare costs and avoid duplication of functions.
People access medical services at primary healthcare centers, which then make referrals to higher levels within the system. Public health authorities appear to be focusing less on the actual delivery of daily health services and more on the promotion of healthier lifestyles.
Puerto Ricans have an average life expectancy of 74.5 years. Heart disease and cancer are the two leading causes of death (Pan American Health Organization, 2001).
Sources:
- http://ldldproject.net/cultures/puertorico/society/index.html#edu
- http://www.nrchmh.org/ResourcesDirectService/Mental%20Health%20in%20the%20Hispanic%20Immigrant%20Community%20An%20Overview.pdf
- Pan American Health Organization. (2001). Country Health Profile: Puerto Rico. Retrieved from http://www.paho.org/English/SHA/prflpur.htm