A new study highlights how cultural adaptation and socioeconomic status intersect to influence health outcomes among Hispanic populations in the United States. Published in Endocrinology Advisor, the research found that both acculturation and educational attainment significantly affect the risk of developing hypertension and diabetes.
Drawing on data from over 11,000 Hispanic adults across four U.S. cities, the study revealed that individuals with lower income and less acculturation were more likely to develop diabetes. Conversely, those with higher acculturation and higher socioeconomic status had the lowest risk for both diabetes and hypertension.
At baseline, 27.4% of participants had hypertension and 17.7% had diabetes. By the follow-up period, those numbers had risen to 35.3% and 27.6%, respectively. The study used the Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics to assess cultural adaptation and found that 58.3% of participants were considered less acculturated.
Heritage also played a role. Participants of Dominican, Central American, Mexican, and Puerto Rican descent had lower educational attainment, while those of Central American and Cuban heritage were less acculturated. These factors combined to create a complex picture of health vulnerability.
Researchers emphasized that health systems and policymakers must consider how heritage, acculturation, and socioeconomic status interact. These insights are critical for designing effective prevention and treatment strategies tailored to Latino communities, where cardiometabolic diseases remain a pressing concern.
See: “Acculturation Predicts Hypertension, Diabetes Outcomes in Hispanic Population” (April 29, 2025)