Latino Men Want Specific, Accessible Health Information, Study Says

Apr: 30 (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (2010 Getty Images)

A new study from Utah State University found that Latino males want health information but in a more specific and accessible format.

Researchers for the study sought to identify needs-based health strategies to more effectively reach Latino men.

Focus groups made up of Latino men investigated their health concerns, barriers, motivators, and access to health information and health services.

One concern, the study found, was that Latino men were not very interested in prevention.

“Some of the things we should do that I try is to exercise, eat as healthy as possible. I try to keep my heart clean, eat less grease," one of the men told researchers. "But a lot of times we don’t do anything; we just go on.”

The study also looked into ways of solving traditional problems like men not seeking out health care until its too late.

"Additionally, the researchers wished to determine if a church-based design might help reach men who might not be responsive to more traditional health education or public health routes," the study abstract read.

To that end, they learned that church-based health education was a way of reaching Latino men who were regular attendants to church.

The men also strongly desired more Spanish-speaking health care providers and were acutely interested in low-cost health care.

Latino men are a historically understudied group. Some of the men in the study hoped that more attention and awareness regarding their health would pay dividends in the long run.

“I think that we just need to hear it more," another participant said. "We all know, and we want to do better, but then we don’t.

"But the more we hear it, the more we are reminded," the participant added. "And then eventually, you know, I hope...we will really start to make changes.”

Contact Adrian Carrasquillo at Adrian.Carrasquillo@foxnewslatino.com or on Twitter @RealAdrianC.

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