Document Type
Report
Publication Date
11-2016
Abstract
Health outcomes for Puerto Ricans presents an interesting paradoxical reality for public health officials and policy makers. Puerto Ricans continue to struggle with poor health-related outcomes, such as comorbidity or the co-occurrence of other health conditions and modifiable risk behaviors when compared to their Hispanics counterparts. Between 2000 and 2010, Puerto Ricans exhibited higher morbidity rates of cancer, diabetes, alcohol consumption, asthma as well as higher infant mortality compared to other Hispanics and major groups (Rosofsky & Aponte, 2013). In spite of this shortcoming, Puerto Ricans in U.S., showed a greater life expectancy than the national average, with 81.6% and 78.8%, respectively (Center for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Health Statistics, 2015).