Hispanic Heritage Month: ¡Viva la Gente Que Lucha!

Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15th – October 15th. The 2024 theme for Hispanic Heritage Month is the Spanish phrase “¡Viva la Gente Que Lucha!” which translates roughly to “Long Live the People who Fight”. This year’s theme speaks to the continuous struggle that Latine populations face as they push for equitable treatment in the spaces they occupy.

For instance, many Latine individuals experience linguistic bias. Linguistic bias consists of making assumptions about an individual based on the languages or dialects they speak. This includes their accent or vernacular, which, in academic settings, may result in an inaccurate assessment of their intelligence. According to the Pew Research Center, “four-in-ten Latinos say they have experienced discrimination in the past year, such as being criticized for speaking Spanish or being told to go back to their home country” (Hugo Lopez et al., 2018).

Some Spanish language speakers also face barriers in healthcare settings. According to research done by California Health Foundation, “nearly one in five Spanish-language calls ended with the scheduler hanging up on the caller or informing them that no one was available to assist them in Spanish” (Martinez, 2023).These barriers can also discourage Spanish-speaking individuals from getting the help they need when seeking mental health care. Despite the fact that US health care organizations receiving federal funding are legally required to deliver care to Spanish-speakers, many lack the resources to provide care to these patients. Compared to English-proficient patients, “individuals with limited English proficiency receive fewer health care services, have greater unmet mental health needs, and get poorer-quality care” (Escobedo et al., 2023).

It’s important to acknowledge the barriers that Latine patients face and to amplify their voices when they reach out for the care they need. During Hispanic Heritage Month, we honor the resilience that Latine individuals have shown when overcoming these and other barriers.

References

Hugo Lopez, M., Gonzalez-Barrera, A., & Manuel Krogstad, J. (2018, October 25). 2. Latinos and discrimination. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/race-and-ethnicity/2018/10/25/latinos-and-discrimination/

Martinez, S. (2023, November 27). Spanish speakers face bias when seeking mental health care – California Health Care Foundation. California Health Care Foundation. https://www.chcf.org/blog/spanish-speakers-face-bias-when-seeking-mental-health-care/#:~:text=Supported%20by%20the%20California%20Health,to%20assist%20them%20in%20Spanish.