my "i wy “A:7i ’ insoy tne "‘ih ‘Mey en a | salebd) Sle ange val ay”anal ane “anesaver tweeapne or ais Oa Attentionn-DeficiHyperactivity Disorder Often Goes Untreated In Hispanic/Latino Individuals (NAPSA)—While attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder, or AD/HD, significantly affects the lives of children and adults across races and ethnicities, studies suggest that Hispanic/ Latino individuals, in particular, are often underdiagnosed and undertreated. AD/HD is a scientifically proven brain disorder characterized by chronic inattention, impulsivity and, in some cases, hyperactivity. “Stigma, lack of appropriate services and languagebarriers, too often lead to children in the Hispanic/Latino community not being diagnosed and not getting proper treatment for AD/HD,”said Jos Cordero, MD, MPH, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and a panelist at a recent Capitol Hill briefing on AD/HD. “Tt, therefore, is very important that we work together to address these problems so that Hispanic/ Latino children everywhere can lead fulfilling, healthy and successful lives.” According to a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, Medical Care and Health Issues in the Latino Community, Hispanic/Latino individuals use mental health services at less than half the rate of Caucasians. Barriers to mental health care, including diagnosis and treatment of AD/HD, among Hispanic/Latino individuals were identified as: Availability of culturally sensitive mental health services Differences between Hispanic/Latino individuals and treatment providers in under- standing of mental illness and treatment options Languagebarriers Transportation Financial and insurance If left untreated, AD/HD can cause problems at home, school, work and in personal relationships. difficulties Poor education * Unemployment Perception and stigma asso- ciated with mental illness in the Hispanic/Latino community Further studies suggest Hispanic/Latino individuals are more likely to seek health advice from pediatricians, social workers and religious figures rather than trained mental health professionals, further contributing to the undertreatment of AD/HD in this community. AD/HDis one of the more common neurobiological disorders affecting three to five percent of school-age children and two to four percent of adults. If left untreated, the disorder can cause problems in daily life, especially at home, school, work andin per- sonal relationships. When accurately diagnosed and treated, however, children and adults with the disorder can lead fulfilling and successful lives. Children and Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) is the nation’s leading advocacy organization serving individuals living with the disorder and their families. For more information about AD/HD, visit www.chadd.org.
