Hispanics in America who self-identify as Black are suffering higher rates of hypertension than their Hispanic counterparts who identify as White, according to research conducted at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health.
The study suggests this apparent health advantage could be an artifact of the U.S. Census grouping of all Spanish speaking people into a single category (Hispanic) without regard to race.
Dr. Borrell analyzed data collected in the National Health Interview Survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics.
"This kind of comparison could help tease out the effect of race as a marker for inequality in opportunities and, further, as a cause for existing health disparities," Dr. Borrell said of these findings.
She suggests, "because of the racialized society in which we live, Hispanic Blacks could face a double jeopardy -- discrimination both from outside the Hispanic community and from within.
About the Mailman School of Public Health The only accredited school of public health in New York City, and among the first in the nation Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health provides instruction and research opportunities to more than 850 graduate students in pursuit of masters and doctoral degrees.
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