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Mental health and drug use are also two important problems for Latino males. In fact, Latino adolescent and adult males have higher rates of feeling sad or hopeless than non-Latino whites. Latino male adolescents also are more likely to make a suicide plan and attempt suicide than non-Latino whites. Tobacco and alcohol use are similar for Latino male adolescents and non-Latino whites; however, use of other drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, illegal injection drugs, steroids, hallucinogenic drugs, heroin, methamphetamines, and ecstasy) are higher for Latino male adolescents. Compared to non-Latino whites, Latino adults have similar rates of alcohol consumption that exceed the guidelines for low-risk drinking. However, Latino rates of smoking are lower. Rates of crack cocaine are higher for Latino men than non-Latino whites. There are some sexual health related topics that affect Latino adolescent males that should be addressed. Compared to non-Latino whites, Latino males are less likely to report wanting sexual intercourse at the time of their first sexual intercourse. Latino adolescents are also more likely to report being forced to have sexual intercourse. Among 15–19 year-old adolescent males, Latinos are twice as likely as non-Latino white males to report having sexual contact with a same sex partner. Condom usage is lower for Latino adolescent males than non-Latino white males. Latino 15–44 year-olds are more likely to be at risk for HIV due to sex, drug risk, or STD treatment than non-Latino whites. Safety is another concern for Latino male adolescents. In fact, Latino adolescent males are less likely to use seat belts, bicycle or motorcycle helmets, and are more likely to drive when they have been drinking alcohol or to drive with a driver who has been drinking alcohol compared to non-Latino whites. Latino males are also more likely than non-Latino white males to have been in a physical fight and to have missed school because of safety concerns. Concerning access to health services and health insurance, Latino males are three times as likely to lack health insurance as non-Latino white men, and they are more likely to have delayed medical or dental care due to cost. In addition , Latino men are twice as likely to lack a usual source of care. More than one-third of Latino men have not visited a doctor in the past year. Latino males are less likely to see a dentist and more likely to have no natural teeth than nonLatino white males. Among married 15–44 year-old men, Latinos have onequarter the rate of vasectomies as non-Latino whites. Despite lower health insurance coverage, Latino males are more likely to have been tested for HIV in the previous year, and as adolescents, than non-Latino white males. Unmarried 15–24 year-old Latino males are as likely as or more likely than non-Latino whites to have received birth control counseling. Appendix 303 To date, the peer-reviewed literature has presented an uneven picture of the health of Latino males, mainly focusing on HIV, AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, drug use, and domestic violence. The findings presented in this chapter can provide guidance for future interventions and research to better understand how to reduce and eliminate the disparities experienced by Latino male children, adolescents, and adults. References Adams, P. F., A. N. Dey, J. L. Vickerie. 2007. Summary health statistics for the U.S. population . National Health Interview Survey, 2004. Vital and Health Statistics 10: 233. Adams, P. F., and C. A. Schoenborn. 2006. Health behaviors of adults: United States, 2002–04. Vital and Health Statistics 10: 230. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). 2006. National healthcare disparities report. http://www.ahrq.gov/qual/nhdr06/nhdr06.htm. American Cancer Society. 2006. American Cancer Society report describes unique cancer profile of Hispanic/Latino Americans. http://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/ CAFF2006HispPWsecured.pdf. Anderson, J. E., A. Chandra, W. Mosher. 2005. HIV testing in the United States. Advance data from Vital and Health Statistics. No. 363. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. Anderson, J. E., W. D. Mosher, and A. Chandra. 2006. Measuring HIV risk in the U.S. population aged 15–44: Results from Cycle 6 (2002) of the National Survey of Family Growth. Advance data from Vital and Health Statistics. No. 377. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 2005a. Blood lead levels—United States, 1999–2002. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report...

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