Health

Have you ever wondered why so many women crowned Miss Universe are from Latin American countries? Dr. Manny Alvarez, the senior medical correspondent on Fox News, said, “The women look that way because they eat the seven Latin power foods.”

Alvarez, the author of “The Hot Latin Diet,” said there is a fast track to that bombshell body.

“This diet helps women stay slim and sexy and maintain their natural curves,” Alvarez said.

The book is geared to women, and the recipes are designed by Hispanic female chefs, and promotes fewer carbs, flavors and color of food (no white), along with the balance of exercise. The bottom line is keeping a good-looking body while having fun in the kitchen.”*

The government’s forced use of antipsychotic drugs, in people who have no history of mental illness, includes dozens of cases in which the “pre-flight cocktail,” as a document calls it, had such a potent effect that federal guards needed a wheelchair to move the slumped deportee onto an airplane.

“Unsteady gait. Fell onto tarmac,” says a medical note on the deportation of a 38-year-old woman to Costa Rica in late spring 2005. Another detainee was “dragged down the aisle in handcuffs, semi-comatose,” according to an airline crew member’s written account. Repeatedly, documents describe immigration guards “taking down” a reluctant deportee to be tranquilized before heading to an airport.”*

Integrating milk and dairy products into one’s daily diet is important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. But for the roughly 75% of Latinos who experience stomach discomfort, diarrhea, and bloating from dairy products, incorporating milk into their diets couldn’t be further from their minds. In fact, a recent survey found that 63% of Hispanics who experience stomach discomfort or other symptoms of lactose intolerance as a result of consuming dairy products reduce or stop integrating dairy into their diets altogether. But that worries doctors and nutritionists because eliminating dairy could increase the risk for inadequate calcium and vitamin D intake. Additionally, consuming proper levels of calcium and vitamin D can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis later in life and calcium plays an important role in helping with blood clotting, nerve signaling, and muscle contraction and relaxation. Therefore, to help educate lactose intolerant Hispanics about easy solutions for their symptoms that won’t leave them at risk for inadequate calcium, actress Angelica Vale shares her story.

“My cafe con leche provided the first clue that I was lactose intolerant — I would feel bloated and uncomfortable after my first cup. A friend suggested I may be lactose intolerant and asked me to consider trying lactose-free milk,” said Vale. “The switch made a tremendous difference. Now I can enjoy my cafe con leche, my favorite cheeses and all of the foods I love without worrying about stomach discomfort. LACTAID(R) Milk and LACTAID(R) Fast Act Dietary Supplements brought the foods that were formerly ‘off limits’ back to my table.”

What is Lactose Intolerance? How Can I Get Relief?
Lactose intolerance is a condition where the body is deficient in the lactase enzyme, which breaks down lactose, the milk sugar in dairy foods and beverages. The inability to break down lactose contributes to the physical symptoms of stomach irritability. People who suffer from lactose intolerance may have trouble enjoying those favorite dishes and beverages, such as enchiladas suizas or even a simple cafe con leche, so much so that they may skip them entirely.

However, simply switching regular milk to lactose-free milk or taking supplements can help lactose intolerance sufferers bring their favorite foods back to their table without eliminating dairy from their diet. LACTAID(R) Milk is real milk that is 100% lactose-free and can be used in any recipe that calls for milk. LACTAID(R) Dietary Supplements contain a natural lactase enzyme to break lactose down and make it easier to digest, when taken with the first bite of dairy.

“There’s no longer any excuse for lactose-intolerant individuals to avoid dairy products,” explained Vale.

“And, because of the importance of adequate calcium intake, there’s never been a better time to increase milk and dairy consumption.”

For recipes and to take a free dairy digestion test, visit http://www.lactaidenespanol.com.

1) American Gastroenterological Association. Lactose Intolerance. February 27, 2008. http://www.gastro.org/wmspage.cfm?parm1=854

2) The lactose intolerance survey was conducted by Yankelovich, Inc. on behalf of McNeil Nutritionals from February 28 - March 3, 2008 using online interviews among a sample of 200 African American adults 18 years of age or older.”*

The California Fire Foundation and California Professional Firefighters have joined forces to launch a statewide Spanish-language campaign aimed at educating Latino families in California on the importance of having and practicing a fire escape plan.

The focus of the campaign is for everyone to have an escape plan and to realize that fires can happen to anyone, said Sacramento Fire Capt. Jim Doucette. No one is immune to fires, and everyone should be prepared, he said.”*

New research shows “alarming levels” of obesity in most ethnic groups in the United States, principal investigator Dr. Gregory L. Burke, of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina told Reuters Health. The study also confirms the potentially deadly toll obesity exacts on the heart and blood vessels.

“The obesity epidemic has the potential to reduce further gains in U.S. life expectancy, largely through an effect on cardiovascular disease mortality (death),” Burke and colleagues warn in the latest issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

Among 6,814 middle-age or older adults participating in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, or “MESA” study, researchers found that more than two thirds of white, African American and Hispanic participants were overweight and one third to one half were obese.”*

A Washington clinic that provides free health services for the Latino community has spent only a fraction of the funds it received through two unprecedented 2006 Centers for Disease Control & Prevention grants, raising concerns among some local trans activists that the money is being mismanaged.

La Clinica Del Pueblo, located on 15th Street N.W., was one of 23 organizations around the country that received a grant to establish behavioral interventions for high-risk young men of color who have sex with men. “*

The curandera is weary from work. Three, four, five times a day, the immigrant farm workers knock on her apartment door, begging her to cure their ailments.

They complain of indigestion, of rashes, of post-traumatic panic attacks. Then there are the house calls that compel her to crate up her potions and herbs and drive across town, often after midnight, to escape the notice of immigration police.

“I’ve done so many cures that I’m exhausted; it gives me no time to rest,” said Herminia L. Arenas, 55, the curandera, or traditional healer, who has practiced in this Central Valley town since migrating 14 years ago from Oaxaca, in southern Mexico. “I want to retire, but I feel like I was sent here to help these people.” “*

This year, the annual fund-raising event held by Cielo Latino, the Latino Commission on AIDS, will take place on Tuesday, and will be a very special affair.

The reason is not only that this time around it will be the largest one ever moneywise, but also that this year, Cielo Latino will celebrate the 20 years of life of its president, Dennis deLeon, since learning of his HIV-positive status.

“My body is not that great,” deLeon, who has been at the helm of the Latino Commission since 1994, told me in an interview at his W. 25th St. office in Manhattan. Diabetes and a bad heart are two of the consequences of the harsh HIV-fighting drugs he has taken all these years. “But I am alive.”"*

Mexican food is very popular, but it also has an unhealthy reputation. But a new study has a different opinion about some of the dishes.

Medical researchers at the University of Utah say native Mexican cuisine is good for you.

Researchers say they tracked the eating habits of pre-menopausal Hispanic and non-Hispanic women living in the Four Corner region (Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona). “*

Puerto Ricans are under attack, the numbers are startling, and they are 125% more likely than whites and 80% more likely than blacks to have asthma. When it comes to the prevalence of attacks it is even worse, Puerto Ricans have the highest attack prevalence, 140% higher than non-Hispanic whites. This is according to the Centers for Disease Control 2005 statistics (CDC). In 2005 17% of Puerto Ricans living in the US had asthma compared to 5% of Mexicans, whites had 7.6%, and non-Hispanic blacks had 9.4%.

So of the approximately 396,000 Hispanics living in the tri sate area (US Census 2006) some 25% have asthma. If you break it down further, of the approximately 212.200 Puerto Ricans in the tri State area some 36,000 have asthma.”*

The Austin Chapter of NHPO is hosting a Health Screening Event and Networking Mixer taking place on May 15, 2008 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Nuevo Leon at 1501 E 6th St.

This event is open to NHPO members and anyone who is considering joining NHPO with admission of $5. Staff from the American Heart Association (AHA) will provide blood pressure screenings, and will also be available for a question and answer session. Door prizes will also be given.

Cary Duval, Chair of The Austin Hispanic Outreach Taskforce (HOTF) and guest speaker for the evening, will speak about how the HOTF is an integral part to increase knowledge and encourage behavior changes through continual efforts via community channels and trusted sources. The HOTF is a volunteer group responsible for supporting local divisions of the American Heart Association in its efforts to reach the Hispanic communities with life saving cardiovascular and stroke risk recognition, risk reduction and risk avoidance programs in the areas of public education, communication, public policy, fundraising, and patient and professional education.

Major Responsibilities of task force members include:

• Provide leadership and guidance for community outreach strategy
• Assist with the implementation and management of the faith/community-based education program Conozca Su Corazón
• Identify and define effective channels for dissemination of priority programs such as Go Red for Women, START and Alliance for a Healthy Generation
• Assist with the planning and implementation of special community outreach events such as Vestido Rojo, Go Red Sunday and Festival Hispano de la Salud
• Assist with health disparity policy development and advocacy.

“This event gives NHPO an opportunity to partner with AHA and join efforts in educating our Hispanic professionals and community about the importance of taking care of our hearts and how to live a healthy, stress-free life. Inviting the AHA to our event will allow our members a chance to ask questions they may not otherwise ask and hopefully apply what they learn to their day to day lives,” said Debra Figueroa, Austin Chair.

About NHPO (National Hispanic Professional Organization)
NHPO is a networking, non-profit, membership-based organization that provides its members opportunities for self-improvement, professional advancement and personal achievement.

NHPO is one of the fastest growing Hispanic professional organizations in the country, with chapters in Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Washington, DC, Chicago, New York, Las Vegas and various other cities.
“*

Depression and other mental troubles are on the rise among Latin American women immigrants to the United States, as they battle economic woes and try to bridge the cultural gap, experts say.

“If you control for socio-economic factors, Latinos have the same rate of depression as other population groups, but since Latinos are usually poorer, they have higher rates of depression,” Sarah Huertas-Goldman of the University of Puerto Rico told AFP at the American Psychiatric Association’s annual meeting.

“It’s because they are poor, with all the stresses that brings,” she said.”*

Health care is a human right, not a “commodity or a privilege,” Dr. Julio Frenk, a former health secretary of Mexico, said Wednesday at the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health.

“It is unethical to limit health care on the basis of migratory activity,” he said.

People without health insurance - among them Mexican immigrants in Arizona - should not be denied medical care, he said.

Border regions such as Arizona’s with Mexico “are areas of cultural conflict,” just as they are along geographic borders everywhere, as globalization pushes people into closer contact.”*

Today is the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. It’s a day that should be solemnly observed by every Latino family with teenage children. Why?

Because while the overall national rate of teen pregnancy has declined, it has actually increased among Latina girls. Sarah Brown, CEO of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, said, “The teen pregnancy rate for Hispanic teens increased slightly between 2003 and 2004 and, for the first time, Hispanic teens now have the highest rates of both teen pregnancy and births. Also, data released in December 2007 show a 3% increase in the teen birth rate between 2005 and 2006, the first increase in the teen birth rate in 15 years.”"*

Dennis deLeon, president of the Latino Commission on AIDS, announced that Kat DeLuna is the 2008 International Ambassador to the Commission. Ms. DeLuna will accept the title passed down from Gael Garcia Bernal on May 13, 2008, at Cipriani Wall Street during Cielo Latino, the largest national fundraiser for the Latino community in its fight against AIDS.

In recent months, Ms. DeLuna has emerged as one of the defining faces of pop’s next generation. Ms. DeLuna’s sound is a colorful canvas of strokes blending together hip hop, R&B, meringue, pop, Latin jazz, electronic, and dance. She has been honored as MTV Tr3s’ Best New Artist and nominated for a Latin Billboard Award. Ms. DeLuna was also featured in People Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, USA Today, Teen Vogue, and Latina magazine.

Ms. DeLuna was born in the Bronx but she was raised in the Dominican Republic. After much hardship, Ms. DeLuna decided to use her emotions to fuel her music and began writing her own music and pursuing her lifelong dream of being a singer. This drive led Ms. DeLuna to have the hit single “Whine Up” featuring Elephant Man.

“As a Latina I am committed to the fight against HIV/AIDS in our community,” said DeLuna. “The Latino Commission on AIDS has made great strides in HIV prevention and I am honored to serve as their International Ambassador in the fight. Now is the time to call attention to the problems this disease is bringing to Latino communities across the U.S. and Latin America. Together as a community we can better stop the spread of the disease and provide better care for people living with HIV.”

Cielo Latino draws celebrities from all over such as Lupe Ontiveros, Rosie Perez, Amaury Nolasco, Odalys Molina, Jorge Villamizar, Geraldo Rivera (host), Cucu Diamantes (entertainment), Jaslene Gonzalez, Miss Teen USA Hilary Cruz, Miss USA Crystal Stewart, and former Miss USA Denise Quiñones.

For further information, please visit http://www.latinoaids.org/Cielo or contact Elayne Monnens at 212-584-9318.

The Latino Commission on AIDS is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS in the Latino community. In response to the critical, unmet need for HIV prevention and care for Latinos, a coalition of Latino leaders founded the agency in 1990. The Commission realizes its mission by spearheading health advocacy for Latinos, promoting HIV education, developing model prevention programs for high-risk communities, building capacity in local organizations and health departments, and by conducting community-driven research and evaluation. Through its extensive network of member organizations and community leaders, the Commission works to mobilize an effective Latino community response to the health crisis created by HIV/AIDS. The Commission is currently providing services in more than 40 States, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Since 1993 the Commission has been directed by Dennis deLeon, a national advocate and visionary leader of the Latino community’s struggle to contain the AIDS epidemic.”*

The head of a Congressional subcommittee looking into complaints of inadequate medical care in immigration detention announced on Tuesday that she had introduced legislation to set mandatory standards for care and to require that all deaths be reported to the Justice Department and Congress.

“This should not be part of the debate about illegal immigration,” the chairwoman, Representative Zoe Lofgren of California, said of the bill, which she introduced late last week. “This is about whether the government is conducting itself according to the basic minimum standards of civilization.””*

The incidence of diabetic retinopathy and clinically significant macular edema is high in Latino patients with diabetes, possibly because of poor glycemic control or longer duration of the disease, according to a study presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology meeting here.

Additionally, the incidence of diabetic retinopathy in the second eye exceeds the incidence in the first eye, the large-scale study found.

“Those [patients] with disease in one eye need to be closely monitored for disease in the contralateral eye,” Jessica Chung, MPH, said.”*

A new study is revealing a high rate of a certain strain of TB among San Diego’s Hispanic population.

The TB strain, known as M.bovis, is spread to humans after eating raw dairy products from infected cattle.

A study by the county and UCSD’s School of Medicine shows more than 90 percent of these TB cases occurred in local Hispanics. “*

Celebra La Vida Con Salud, the largest national Hispanic health education campaign, today kicked-off its 2008 Hispanic Health Festival Tour in Chicago providing local Hispanics with culturally relevant health information on major illnesses disproportionately impacting Hispanics as well as thousands of free medical screenings. It is the seventh consecutive year the Celebra health festival will tour major Hispanic markets around the country. The Celebra campaign provides information to Hispanics nationwide about health promotion and illness prevention and connects them to national and local resources available to assist Hispanics in getting proper healthcare.

As the largest and fastest growing minority group in the country, Hispanics represent approximately 14% of the current U.S. population, yet they suffer disproportionately high rates of preventable illnesses and diseases such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, stroke and some cancers — including breast, prostate and cervical cancer.

– Heart disease is the number one killer of Hispanic men and women.
– Hispanics represent approximately 18% of new AIDS diagnoses and the rate of HIV is 3 times higher for Hispanics than non-Hispanic whites. Hispanic women have 5 times the AIDS rate as do white non-Hispanic women.
– Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic women.
– The death rate from cervical cancer is 50% higher among Hispanic women than among non-Hispanic white women.
– By age 3, 26% of Hispanics are obese.

“It is imperative that we break down the barriers, culturally, financially and educationally, that impede Hispanics from receiving the proper health education and preventive care that could significantly reduce the disproportionate rates of illness facing Hispanics,” said Carmen Ramos-Watson, Executive Director of Celebra La Vida Con Salud. “Through the Celebra festivals we not only provide much-needed medical screenings, we build awareness and understanding about relevant health issues greatly impacting this population, share with Latinos what they can do to prevent these illnesses for themselves and their families and connect them with local resources for quality care.”

Celebra La Vida Con Salud is a comprehensive national health education and awareness campaign the effectively reaches the underserved U.S. Hispanic population through its on-the-ground health festival tour, on-air radio and television health education component, on-line information campaign and on-going community outreach efforts. Private, public sector, media and community-based partners and sponsors join together in the execution of the Celebra festival.

During its 2008 festival tour Celebra will expand the work it began last year educating Latinos about the causes, treatment and prevention of the human papilloma virus (HPV) and cervical cancer. Sponsored by Merck & Co., Inc., Celebra will present an interactive, culturally relevant educational exhibit that includes a Cantahistoria mural, interactive Loteria game, personal testimony of cervical cancer survivors and local clinic resources. Surveys conducted during last year’s tour indicate a 30 percent or better increase in knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer among festival attendees who participated in the exhibit. After participating in the education exhibit, sixty-eight percent (68%) followed up with a visit to the doctor.

Among other exhibits, the Celebra Chicago festival will also feature demonstrations on breast cancer prevention, food and nutrition and food safety, sponsored by the Illinois Department of Health. “We are excited to join with Celebra to reach Chicago area Hispanics with these important health messages in such an interactive, engaging and culturally sensitive way,” said Doris Turner, Chief of the Center of Minority Health Services

Other partners of the Celebra campaign and festival tour include the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, American Red Cross, Nike, and CardioChek.

“Given the high incidence of heart disease and diabetes in the Hispanic community, we’re excited to join the Celebra festivals once again, to empower Hispanics with tools like CardioChek that can help them monitor and control their health risks, says Robert Huffstodt, President of PTS Inc., maker of the portable blood test system CardioChek

Local health care partners include Mount Sinai Hospital, MacNeal Hospital, Alivio Medical Center and the Circle Family Care Network.

The Celebra festival in Chicago is being conducted in partnership with the Telemundo Cinco de Mayo festival.

The Celebra La Vida Con Salud festival tour will continue to Atlanta, San Antonio, New York, and Boston through July. In the fall the Celebra will tour San Diego, San Jose, Los Angeles, Houston and Miami.

For more information about the Celebra campaign and sponsorship opportunities, visit http://www.celebralavida.com”*

The Tomás Rivera Policy Institute (TRPI) today released a new report: Latina and Latino Nurses: Why are there so few? The report identifies current and projected shortages in U.S. nursing professionals as a growing concern threatening the integrity of the health care system. Further exacerbating this shortage is a lack of diversity and the increasing average age among nurses. The new TRPI study also provides recommendations for policies and interventions most likely to increase Latina and Latino participation in the nursing workforce.

Barriers for Hispanic nurses and assistant nurses:

• Lack of time to study due to family obligations.
• Difficulty getting admitted to nursing school due to limited seating availability.
• Lack of financial support for nursing school.
• Lack of academic preparation and training.

Barriers for Hispanic non-nurses:

• Lack of knowledge about the nursing profession.
• Lack of a role model in the field.
• Nursing is considered too stressful and demanding.

Recommendations:

• Improvements in educational access in terms of better academic preparation during high school, more financial aid for higher education, more awareness and information about nursing degree programs, and greater cultural sensitivity in the teaching and treatment of nurses.
• An overall improvement in working conditions faced by nurses in terms of understaffing, administrative support and job-related stress.

To view the full report, please click here.

The report was prepared by Rainbow Vogt, Ph.D., and Maria Teresa V. Taningco, Ph.D. If you have questions about this report and the study’s findings, please contact Dr. Vogt via phone at (213) 821 5615.

TRPI would like to extend a special thanks to the California Wellness Foundation who made this project possible.

The last few years have seen brewers focusing huge financial resources to move their products into Latino hands. Miller Brewing Co. signed a three-year, $100 million advertising deal with Univision Communications in 2004. Anheuser-Busch and Molson Coors created vice presidential posts to head up their Latino marketing efforts.
…
More young people are seeing alcohol ads today than ever before. Among all racial groups, youth exposure to alcohol ads on television jumped 48 percent from 2001 to 2005, according to the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth at Georgetown University.

Alarmingly for Latinos, more alcohol advertising is being aimed at our youth than at other young people.”*

In 1985, Berks County Office of Aging Executive Director Barbara Coffin was asked to help meet the needs of the growing Latino community.

Consuelo Jordan, the head of the Albright College Language Department, told Coffin she wanted a senior center that would offer culturally appropriate meals and activities.

Twenty years later, that senior center, the Casa de la Amistad — or Friendship House — is the largest in Pennsylvania. Operated by the Daniel Torres Hispanic Center, the senior center serves more than 500 Latino seniors annually. The program has grown so much, a satellite office has opened at Kennedy Towers in southwest Reading.”*

Connecting metro Atlanta’s Latinos to HIV/AIDS services and ministries is one of the challenges Miranda faces every day in her job. It’s also the challenge she brought up during a national consultation with the Centers for Disease Control earlier this month. Miranda participated in the two-day meeting “HIV/AIDS Prevention Among Hispanic/Latino Communities: A Consultation with Leaders from the Latino Community.” CDC officials asked Miranda and others for their input on how to improve outreach and prevention efforts in the Latino communities to help turn the tide and reduce new infections. Miranda was more than happy to oblige with a response.

“In the South, especially in rural areas, you see a mirror of what we saw (with AIDS) in the 1980s,” Miranda said. Although the numbers are not the same, the rapid spread and ignorance of the disease is similar to that period, she explained.

“It’s what I’m calling the second wave of AIDS. Outside of metro Atlanta, you’ll find large Hispanic populations. These people are already marginalized. How do you get people to know their (HIV) status, and link them to healthcare?””*

Dennis deLeon, president of the Latino Commission on AIDS, announced the musical entertainment that will fill the air with beautiful sounds for Cielo Latino on May 13, 2008, at Cipriani Wall Street. The Latino Commission on AIDS is thrilled to have Cuban born Cucu Diamantes from Yerba Buena as this year’s lead entertainment for Cielo Latino. Unveiling new songs from her forthcoming solo debut album, Cucu’s voice and charisma, accompanied by the rhythms of producer Andres Levin and other members of Yerba Buena, will keep the crowd dancing all night long at Cielo Latino 2008.

“What’s most important about this organization is that with its efforts in relation to HIV, it helps Latinos access prevention tools, treatments, attention and help wherever one may live or work,” said Diamantes. “Whatever our role in life may be, wherever we may live, we all live with HIV in one way or another. We should all assume responsibility in responding to this epidemic.”

The evening will commence with the striking sounds of flamenco guitarist Hernan Romero, who draws inspiration from the Flamenco music experienced while living in Cadiz, Spain.

Cucu follows in the footsteps of previous Cielo Latino entertainers such as India, the Reigning Queen of Salsa, Jean, Johnny Pacheco and many others. Tickets for the event are on sale now and sponsorships are still available. For further information, please visit www.latinoaids.org/cielo or contact Elayne Monnens at 212-584-9318.

The Latino Commission on AIDS is a national nonprofit membership organization dedicated to fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS in the Latino community. In response to the critical, unmet need for HIV prevention and care for Latinos, a coalition of Latino leaders founded the agency in 1990. The Commission realizes its mission by spearheading health advocacy for Latinos, promoting HIV education, developing model prevention programs for high-risk communities, building capacity in local organizations and health departments, and by conducting community-driven research and evaluation. Through its extensive network of member organizations and community leaders, the Commission works to mobilize an effective Latino community response to the health crisis created by HIV/AIDS. The Commission is currently providing services in more than 40 States, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Since 1993 the Commission has been directed by Dennis deLeon, a national advocate and visionary leader of the Latino community’s struggle to contain the AIDS epidemic.”*

Workplace fatalities have increased sharply for Latino and immigrant workers, reports the new AFL-CIO annual study: Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect. In 2006, fatal injuries among Latino workers increased by seven percent over 2005, with 990 fatalities among this group of workers, the highest number ever reported.

The total number of fatal workplace injuries in the United States was 5,840, an increase from the year before. On average, 16 workers were fatally injured and another 11,200 workers were injured or made ill each day in 2006. These statistics do not include deaths from occupational diseases, which claim the lives of an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 more workers each year.

The fatality rate among Hispanic workers in 2006 was 25 percent higher than the fatal injury rate for all U.S. workers. Since 1992, when data was first collected in the BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, the number of fatalities among Latino workers has increased by 86 percent, from 533 fatal injuries in 1992 to 990 deaths in 2006. Among foreign-born workers, job fatalities have increased by 63 percent, from 635 to 1,035 deaths.

“It’s clear that the workplace safety net has more holes than fabric, and it is costing too many American workers their lives,” said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney. “Our nation’s workplaces have gotten more dangerous, not safer, under President Bush. Congress and the next President must take real action by strengthening the OSHA Act with tougher civil and criminal penalties, addressing increasing risks for Hispanic and immigrant workers, increasing funding for OSHA, and fully implementing the provisions of the MINER Act.”

The construction sector had the largest number of fatal work injuries (1,239, up from 1,192 in 2005), followed by transportation and warehousing (860), and agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting (655). In the construction sector, there was a gap between Hispanic and non-Hispanic workers. In 2005, the death rate for Hispanic construction workers was 12.4/100,000 full time workers compared to 10.5/100,000 non-Hispanic construction workers.

The report also examined OSHA staffing levels, finding that to inspect each workplace once, it would take federal OSHA 133 years with its current number of inspectors. The current level of federal and state OSHA inspectors provides one inspector for every 63,913 workers. This compares to a benchmark of one labor inspector for every 10,000 workers recommended by the International Labor Organization for industrialized countries.

The release of the Death on the Job report comes in advance of the 20th Workers Memorial Day, April 28th, which commemorates workers who were killed or injured in the past year. Community and union members around the world will gather at hundreds of events to remember local workers and draw attention to the problem of unaddressed workplace hazards.

Also in conjunction with Workers Memorial Day, on Tuesday, April 29th, the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions will hold a hearing to investigate OSHA enforcement in cases of worker fatalities. Peg Seminario, Director of Safety and Health at the AFL-CIO, will testify before the committee, arguing that the OSHA Act is too weak to protect workers and to deter employers from violating the law. The hearing will take place in Room 430 at the Dirksen Senate Office Building at 10:00 a.m.

For a copy of the AFL-CIO Death on the Job report, go to http://www.aflcio.org/issues/safety/memorial/.

For the AFL-CIO report Immigrant Workers at Risk: The Urgent Need for Improved Workplace Safety and Health Policies and Programs (2005).

Go to: http://www.aflcio.org/issues/safety/upload/immigrant_risk.pdf for English,

or http://www.aflcio.org/issues/safety/upload/immigrant_risk_spanish.pdf for Spanish.”*