Hispanics hospitalized less than other ethnic groups

The Hispanic paradox is the phrase given to describe the longer life spans Hispanics enjoy despite high rates of disease risk and poor socioeconomic status. Though well-documented–and disputed by some experts–no one has yet been able to explain the exact reasons for the paradox, generally attributing it to genetics and cultural habits Hispanics maintain in the United States.

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Now, the latest data from the University of North Texas and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center contributes to the Hispanic paradox, noting that

What’s more, Hispanics, even though they were more likely to be readmitted after initially being released, were less likely than their counterparts to die while hospitalized regardless of how serious their condition was upon admittance.

According to a press release from the University of North Texas, Hispanics were in the hospital for their initial visit an average of 6.24 days, compared to an average of 6.61 days for non-Hispanic blacks and 7.24 days for non-Hispanic whites. OVer the entire 12-month study period, Hispanics were hospitalized an average of 8.28 days, compared to non-Hispanic blacks at 9.76 days, and non-Hispanic whites at 9.55 days.

Not only does this information suggest that the Hispanic paradox may be in part related to a “more complete recovery” among Hispanics, it suggests the immigrant population is not as much of a drain on the medical economy as many believe.

“Considering that the estimated cost of community hospitalization in the United States was $9,700 in 2010, the average cost for the Hispanic patients in the study would have been $14,754.96, compared with $17,018.10 for non-Hispanic whites,” stated lead author, psychology professor John Ruiz. “This may suggest that Hispanic patients’ recovery was more complete, although more data is needed to clarify this possibility.”

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This is not the first time Ruiz and a team of experts have looked into the mysteries of the Hispanic paradox. Ruiz’s previous research analyzed Hispanics’ and other ethnic groups’ mortality rates from cancer, heart disease and other diseases.

He sorted through 58 studies conducted by other researchers over 20 years and was able to conclude Hispanic participants in all of the studies had a 17.5 percent lower mortality rate as compared their non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black counterparts, regardless of age.

In conclusion to the current study, researchers wrote: “These findings provide initial support for a Hispanic survival advantage in the context of all-cause hospitalization and broaden the scope of health resilience associated with Hispanic ethnicity.”