Latino Health Institute Hopes to Accomplish Multiple Missions

Abstract

The Latino Health Institute of New Jersey was founded this fall. One of its many missions: document the disparities between the healthcare of the state's 1.5 million Latinos and that of its overall population. Funded by a $190,000 federal grant to the Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey, the institute will explore the relatively high incidence of chronic ailments like heart disease, obesity and diabetes among Latinos, according to Martin Perez, president of the alliance. The institute also will investigate the limited options for Latinos to adopt healthy lifestyles due to a lack of fresh fruits and vegetables and opportunities…