A tridimensional view of the Hispanic Health Paradox: Its relationship with faith, the enclave theory, and familism

This paper examines the "Hispanic (American) Health Paradox," the juxtaposition of Hispanics’ longer lifespan than the average American amid numerous inequities regarding social determinants of health. Hispanic Americans endure multiple health disparities with a higher incidence and prevalence of chronic conditions. They also experience multiple psychosocial and physical health challenges, including higher rates of food insecurity, poverty, segregation, discrimination, and limited or no access to medical care. Nevertheless, Hispanics enjoy better physical well-being and lower mortality rates when compared to non-Hispanics in the United States (Ruiz et al., 2021). This project aims to analyze the sources of this group’s biosocial advantages and resilience, allowing them to have a longer lifespan amidst their lower health status and increased risk for chronic conditions. It explores the political and social justice implications of these inequities. It also examines the strategies to close the gap on Latinos' current health care disparities via public policy aspects of federal and state legislature. A narrative review method was utilized to examine the existing literature on this paradoxical effect. Keywords based on Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) used to search resources for relevant studies included: Hispanic health paradox (health paradox, immigrant paradox), ethnic minorities (Latinos, LatinX), health disparities (disproportionate health, health inequities), social justice (healthcare stakeholders, health inequities solutions, inequities recommendations), mental health, physical health, and co-morbidities. A quality assessment of full-text peer-reviewed articles yielded 80 articles to compile this narrative review. The research revealed that, despite glaring disparities in social determinants of health, Hispanic Americans have overall experienced better health outcomes through a culture that emphasizes spirituality, community support, and strong family ties.

Confidence and Hesitancy During the Early Roll-out of COVID-19 Vaccines Among Black, Hispanic, and Undocumented Immigrant Communities: a Review

Black and Hispanic Americans have been hardest hit with COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths, yet during the first several months of vaccine roll-out they had the lowest level of vaccine uptake. Primarily, our research on vaccine hesitancy focused on skepticism around the vaccine itself and its roll-out. Our search strategy used PUBMED and Google with a prescribed set of definitions and search terms for two reasons: there were limited peer-reviewed studies during early period of roll-out and real-time perspectives were crucially needed. Literature searches occurred in April 2021and covered September 2020-April 2021. Analyses included expert opinion, survey results and qualitative summaries. Overall, for the general U.S. population, there was considerable hesitancy initially that remained high during the early roll-out. The general population expressed concerns over the speed of vaccine development (“warp speed”), confidence in the competence of government being involved in the development of vaccines and general mistrust of government. Among Black and Hispanic Americans, hesitancy was further expressed as mistrust in the medical establishment that was related to past and current medical mistreatment. Undocumented immigrants worried about access to insurance and possible deportation. These results on confidence in the vaccine early during vaccine roll-out suggest diverse reasons that influence a person’s decision to vaccinate or not. Additional barriers to vaccine uptake include complacency and access. To ensure health equity, particularly to address disparities in morbidity and mortality, vaccine hesitancy needs to be acknowledged and addressed as COVID-19 vaccine roll-out continues, and these observations calls for conscious planning to address these issues early with future health crises.

YA Literature: A Genre on the Rise. Challenges and Strategies in Translating the Imaginary World of Elizabeth Knox’s Southland Saga

<p>Young Adult (YA) literature has taken the publishing industry by storm since J.K. Rowling published the first novel of her Harry Potter saga (1997-2007). From then on, the genre has exponentially grown expanding to other media, such as the film industry, videogames, theme parks as well as merchandise. The Spanish-speaking markets have mirrored the English-speaking ones thoroughly embracing the genre. Indeed, it is thanks to the continuous sales growth in this sector of the market that the book industry has kept afloat in the last two decades. New Zealand’s recent rise in popularity among young Spaniards and Hispanic Americans alike, in part because of the working holiday visa schemes between New Zealand and several Spanish-speaking countries, and in part on account of the featuring of the country in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings (2001-2003) and The Hobbit (2012-2014) trilogies, has created an opportune moment to introduce New Zealand YA authors to the Hispanic market. Elizabeth Knox’s Southland saga (Dreamhunter (2005), Dreamquake (2007) and Mortal Fire (2013), with a fourth and fifth novels under way), is a fine example of New Zealand YA literature that has the potential to follow the success of other franchises, such as Cassandra Clare’s The Mortal Instruments saga (2007-2014) and Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight saga (2005-2008). Knox’s YA novels have been internationally acclaimed in the English-speaking world and have received several prizes; this makes them an ideal showcase to introduce New Zealand YA writers to the Spanish-speaking audiences. Therefore, this thesis has a twofold objective. On the one hand, it presents a comprehensive list of challenges and difficulties encountered when translating the imaginary world in which Knox’s three YA novels are set, which can also apply to the translation of other New Zealand YA novels. Each of these challenges is accompanied by one or more strategies to provide possible solutions. On the other hand, the thesis aims at producing a commercially viable version of the novels targeting a wide Spanish-speaking readership A theoretical discussion precedes the translation samples in which issues such as foreignisation versus domestication (Venuti 1995) are considered, as well as the suitability of a standardised target language. The translations are carried out under the umbrella of a potential Skopos (Reiss and Vermeer 2014) as if they had been commissioned for a wide Spanish-speaking market. General issues including target language considerations and the translation of cultural words (Newmark 1988, 94) are analysed within the frame of the previous theoretical discussion. In addition, specific linguistic and textual issues particular to Knox’s YA novels are tackled to illustrate the complexities of rendering the imaginary world of the Southland saga into Spanish. The aim of this thesis is to produce a version which, complying with a potential Skopos, is suitable for the Spanish-speaking market as well as compiling a comprehensive list of translation challenges and possible solutions particular to the genre with a focus in New Zealand. The result is a translation that not only preserves but also heightens the New Zealand origin of the source text while maintaining readability and fluidity in the target language.</p>

YA Literature: A Genre on the Rise. Challenges and Strategies in Translating the Imaginary World of Elizabeth Knox’s Southland Saga

<p>Young Adult (YA) literature has taken the publishing industry by storm since J.K. Rowling published the first novel of her Harry Potter saga (1997-2007). From then on, the genre has exponentially grown expanding to other media, such as the film industry, videogames, theme parks as well as merchandise. The Spanish-speaking markets have mirrored the English-speaking ones thoroughly embracing the genre. Indeed, it is thanks to the continuous sales growth in this sector of the market that the book industry has kept afloat in the last two decades. New Zealand’s recent rise in popularity among young Spaniards and Hispanic Americans alike, in part because of the working holiday visa schemes between New Zealand and several Spanish-speaking countries, and in part on account of the featuring of the country in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings (2001-2003) and The Hobbit (2012-2014) trilogies, has created an opportune moment to introduce New Zealand YA authors to the Hispanic market. Elizabeth Knox’s Southland saga (Dreamhunter (2005), Dreamquake (2007) and Mortal Fire (2013), with a fourth and fifth novels under way), is a fine example of New Zealand YA literature that has the potential to follow the success of other franchises, such as Cassandra Clare’s The Mortal Instruments saga (2007-2014) and Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight saga (2005-2008). Knox’s YA novels have been internationally acclaimed in the English-speaking world and have received several prizes; this makes them an ideal showcase to introduce New Zealand YA writers to the Spanish-speaking audiences. Therefore, this thesis has a twofold objective. On the one hand, it presents a comprehensive list of challenges and difficulties encountered when translating the imaginary world in which Knox’s three YA novels are set, which can also apply to the translation of other New Zealand YA novels. Each of these challenges is accompanied by one or more strategies to provide possible solutions. On the other hand, the thesis aims at producing a commercially viable version of the novels targeting a wide Spanish-speaking readership A theoretical discussion precedes the translation samples in which issues such as foreignisation versus domestication (Venuti 1995) are considered, as well as the suitability of a standardised target language. The translations are carried out under the umbrella of a potential Skopos (Reiss and Vermeer 2014) as if they had been commissioned for a wide Spanish-speaking market. General issues including target language considerations and the translation of cultural words (Newmark 1988, 94) are analysed within the frame of the previous theoretical discussion. In addition, specific linguistic and textual issues particular to Knox’s YA novels are tackled to illustrate the complexities of rendering the imaginary world of the Southland saga into Spanish. The aim of this thesis is to produce a version which, complying with a potential Skopos, is suitable for the Spanish-speaking market as well as compiling a comprehensive list of translation challenges and possible solutions particular to the genre with a focus in New Zealand. The result is a translation that not only preserves but also heightens the New Zealand origin of the source text while maintaining readability and fluidity in the target language.</p>

Potential Microbiological Risk Factors Associated With Periodontitis and Periodontal Health Disparities

Periodontitis disproportionately affects different racial and ethnic populations. In this study, we used qPCR to determine and compare oral microbial profiles in dental plaque samples from 191 periodontitis patients of different ethnic/racial backgrounds. We also obtained the periodontal parameters of these patients retrospectively using axiUm and performed statistical analysis using SAS 9.4. We found that in this patient cohort, neighborhood median incomes were significantly higher among Caucasians Americans (CAs) than among African Americans (AAs) and Hispanic Americans (HAs). Levels of total bacteria and Porphyromonas gingivalis, a keystone periodontal pathogen, were not evenly distributed among the three groups. We confirmed our previous findings that Streptococcus cristatus reduces P. gingivalis virulence potential and likely serves as a beneficial bacterium. We also showed the ratio of S. cristatus to P. gingivalis to be significantly higher in CAs than in HAs and AAs. Our results suggest that higher levels of P. gingivalis and lower ratios of S. cristatus to P. gingivalis may contribute to periodontal health disparities.

Multi-ethnic polygenic risk modifies the association between APOL1 high risk genotypes and chronic kidney disease

The burden of advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) falls disproportionately on minorities including African Americans (AAs) and Hispanic Americans (HAs) with admixed ancestry. Even though APOL1 high-risk genotypes increase risk of kidney disease, their penetrance is incomplete, indicating that the modification of APOL1 high risk may be polygenic. For this study, we used three multi-ethnic cohorts with APOL1 high risk genotypes and calculated a multi-ethnic PRS using publicly available summary statistics. We show that CKD risk is significantly modified by a multi-ethnic polygenic risk score. Standardizing population screening for CKD by including APOL1 high-risk genotypes and polygenic risk score may improve risk stratification and outcomes.

The Great Communicators and political reconstruction: A comparative study between President Ronald Reagan and President Barack Obama

<p>Presidents come into office wanting to make America a better place, and Stephen Skowronek’s recurring model of presidential authority is perfectly suited when comparing one president to another, across political time. President Ronald Reagan was categorised as a reconstructive president alongside Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D Roosevelt, according to Skowronek’s model; at the end of his first term, President Obama’s has the potential to be remembered as the sixth president of reconstruction. While the nature of reconstruction has changed and has become more superficial with the ageing of the United States political system, Obama’s reconstructive potential is no less potent than that of Jefferson, Jackson and Lincoln. The passing of Health Care reform is Obama’s biggest achievement of his presidency to date and is one of the biggest domestic reforms undertaken since the 1960s. Looking ahead to Obama’s second term, further progress looks possible to enhance his reconstructive potential. If Obama can secure immigration reform, then he will give 12 million illegal immigrants the chance to come out from the shadows and work toward residency and legally live the American dream. With the election and re-election of Obama by an emerging majority made up of women, African Americans, Hispanic Americans and young Americans, the Age of Reagan that existed, has now been replaced by a more diverse coalition. If a democrat can win the White House in 2016, it will truly mean that the Age of Obama has begun. Obama’s most potent legacy will become more evident in the years to come as many Americans will not remember what the unemployment rate was when he assumed office or what it was when he left office. The partisan bickering that dominated for much of Obama’s first term will have faded into distant memory, but what will shine through from the Obama presidency is opportunity. Americans will never forget how Obama changed the limits of possibility for generations to come. Today there are ten year old African-American, Hispanic and Asian-American children all over the United States who believe that, because of the Obama presidency, they too can one day become president. That in itself is hugely reconstructive and by being elected President, Obama has achieved something more potent than any other reconstructive presidents could have ever achieved.</p>

The Great Communicators and political reconstruction: A comparative study between President Ronald Reagan and President Barack Obama

<p>Presidents come into office wanting to make America a better place, and Stephen Skowronek’s recurring model of presidential authority is perfectly suited when comparing one president to another, across political time. President Ronald Reagan was categorised as a reconstructive president alongside Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D Roosevelt, according to Skowronek’s model; at the end of his first term, President Obama’s has the potential to be remembered as the sixth president of reconstruction. While the nature of reconstruction has changed and has become more superficial with the ageing of the United States political system, Obama’s reconstructive potential is no less potent than that of Jefferson, Jackson and Lincoln. The passing of Health Care reform is Obama’s biggest achievement of his presidency to date and is one of the biggest domestic reforms undertaken since the 1960s. Looking ahead to Obama’s second term, further progress looks possible to enhance his reconstructive potential. If Obama can secure immigration reform, then he will give 12 million illegal immigrants the chance to come out from the shadows and work toward residency and legally live the American dream. With the election and re-election of Obama by an emerging majority made up of women, African Americans, Hispanic Americans and young Americans, the Age of Reagan that existed, has now been replaced by a more diverse coalition. If a democrat can win the White House in 2016, it will truly mean that the Age of Obama has begun. Obama’s most potent legacy will become more evident in the years to come as many Americans will not remember what the unemployment rate was when he assumed office or what it was when he left office. The partisan bickering that dominated for much of Obama’s first term will have faded into distant memory, but what will shine through from the Obama presidency is opportunity. Americans will never forget how Obama changed the limits of possibility for generations to come. Today there are ten year old African-American, Hispanic and Asian-American children all over the United States who believe that, because of the Obama presidency, they too can one day become president. That in itself is hugely reconstructive and by being elected President, Obama has achieved something more potent than any other reconstructive presidents could have ever achieved.</p>