Demographic and health status indicators to guide health promotion for Hispanic and Anglo rural elderly

Naturally occurring differences rather than simple breakdowns by ethnic category are being used to tailor strategies in a three year senior community health worker-delivered health promotion intervention. A survey conducted of persons 60 and over in a rural southwestern U.S. community identified New Anglos (recent settlers, n = 264), Old Anglos (long-time residents, n = 298) and Hispanics (n = 236) for a total of 798 persons. Significant demographic differences included less education, poorer health status and more chronic conditions among Hispanics. Low rates of screening were the norm but especially severe among Old Anglos. Patterned differences in health practices, as well as group variations in use of resources and sources of information, revealed New Anglos used a larger variety of services and media. Generally, adjustments being made are related to Hispanic culture, cosmopolitan orientation of the New Anglos, and long-term isolation from information and services for Old Anglos.