University Honors

The Latinx Health Paradox, an epidemiological finding, states that Latinx people despite having lower income, education and power, live longer than their non-Latino counterparts. With this in mind it is essential to ask how the paradox shapes the lives of the Latinx community through its influence on various stakeholders such as policymakers. The Latinx Health Paradox as traditionally defined prioritizes quantity of years lived over quality of years lived. The paradox creates the illusion that the Latinx community is thriving in terms of their health, but it is important to acknowledge the difference between life expectancy and quality of life. I will challenge this interpretation of the Latinx Health Paradox through a survey experiment and review of scholarly work on the paradox. Through this methodology I will test my hypothesis that the current view of the Latinx Health Paradox negatively influences policymaking and perceptions of the Latinx community’s overall health. Furthermore, I will craft a new presentation of the paradox and its impact, specifically on policymakers. Currently, policy results in Latinos being less likely to receive preventative care or have health insurance. The policies to rectify these disparities are not being made due to the pre-tense created by the Latinx Health Paradox that protective health policy for Latinos is not necessary because they are living for a long time as the paradox states. The Latinx Health Paradox is a dangerous veil over the Latinx community, creating a facade of wellness, detrimental to the health outcomes of Latinos as they age.