Health status of Blacks in Northern Indiana
Summary of Proceedings of Public Hearing on the Health Status of Blacks and
The Health Status of Hispanics in Northern Indiana. October 2, 1980-1:30
P.M., County City Building, South Bend, Indiana.
I NTRODUCT I ON
Mr. James Lindsay, Community Health Planner, introduced himself and the
author of the reports, Kimberly Burnett. He explained the Agency1s purpose
for having the documents written. Ms. Burnett presented the background in­formation
leading up to the reportsl conclusions.
Mario Gonzales of LaCausa expressed his support for the Agency wanting to
publish a report of Hispanics. He said he thought the report was good.
However, he stated the report was not as sensitive to the Hispanic people as
it could have been. He asserted that the writer should be Hispanic and if
this is not possible, then a Hispanic group should be formed to advise and
direct revisions. He did not feel the report looked to the actual needs of the
people. Mr. Gonzales was disturbed at a line on page 7 where he thought
the author said Hispanic people were lazy. Mr. Gonzales spoke of the hard
labors of the migrant farmworker, which he said proves that Hispanics aren1t
lazy.
( Mr. Lindsay responded that it was not the intent of the Agency to say
Hispanics were lazy, but that some Anglos perceive it that way. He also
asserted that the report in no way meant to be insensitive. Ms. Burnett
reiterated and encouraged more candid response.
Mr. Angel Gonzales is a former migrant worker who also said that Hispanics
are not lazy. He said migrant labor is among the most physically demanding.
He also thought a Hispanic should have written the report. He said he felt
the major health problem among Hispanics to be the high cost of medical care.
Ms. Olga Villa of the Spanish Speaking Catholic Conference was very com­plimentary
of N I HSA for writing the report. She feels it is a very important
step as a few years ago requests for such information were refused. She did
say someone with an understanding of the Hispanic language and culture
should have written the report as some points especially where Spanish words
were used were incorrect. She said the report does not show a sensitivity to
the historical development of the people. She said it sounds as if all the
problems were new, which they are not. They must be seen as part of
history and considering the history of medicine. She also said the report
describes many things as problems which Hispanics do not feel are problems
(i. e., large families) and should not be discussed as such. She felt the
report did not put the health problems of Hispanics in perspective. Health
care is inaccessible to many people, not just Hispanics and she recommends
this be further discussed. She recommended a Hispanic write the revision.
The revised document should contain more specific recommendations and the
recommendations should be tied into the system of other Hispanic
J R L5/G 2/20/81
Title Health status of Blacks in Northern Indiana
Creator Burnett, Kimberly
Topic Human Services
Subject Health surveys--Indiana
Public health--Indiana
African Americans--Health and hygiene--Indiana
Geographical Coverage Indiana
Source Print version: Burnett, Kimberly. The health status of Blacks in Northern Indiana. (South Bend, Ind.: Northern Indiana Health Systems Agency, 1981), 70 p.
Date Digitally Created May 07 2012
Transcript APPENDIX B Summary of Proceedings of Public Hearing on the Health Status of Blacks and The Health Status of Hispanics in Northern Indiana. October 2, 1980-1:30 P.M., County City Building, South Bend, Indiana. I NTRODUCT I ON Mr. James Lindsay, Community Health Planner, introduced himself and the author of the reports, Kimberly Burnett. He explained the Agency1s purpose for having the documents written. Ms. Burnett presented the background in­formation leading up to the reportsl conclusions. COMMENTS Mario Gonzales of LaCausa expressed his support for the Agency wanting to publish a report of Hispanics. He said he thought the report was good. However, he stated the report was not as sensitive to the Hispanic people as it could have been. He asserted that the writer should be Hispanic and if this is not possible, then a Hispanic group should be formed to advise and direct revisions. He did not feel the report looked to the actual needs of the people. Mr. Gonzales was disturbed at a line on page 7 where he thought the author said Hispanic people were lazy. Mr. Gonzales spoke of the hard labors of the migrant farmworker, which he said proves that Hispanics aren1t lazy. ( Mr. Lindsay responded that it was not the intent of the Agency to say Hispanics were lazy, but that some Anglos perceive it that way. He also asserted that the report in no way meant to be insensitive. Ms. Burnett reiterated and encouraged more candid response. Mr. Angel Gonzales is a former migrant worker who also said that Hispanics are not lazy. He said migrant labor is among the most physically demanding. He also thought a Hispanic should have written the report. He said he felt the major health problem among Hispanics to be the high cost of medical care. Ms. Olga Villa of the Spanish Speaking Catholic Conference was very com­plimentary of N I HSA for writing the report. She feels it is a very important step as a few years ago requests for such information were refused. She did say someone with an understanding of the Hispanic language and culture should have written the report as some points especially where Spanish words were used were incorrect. She said the report does not show a sensitivity to the historical development of the people. She said it sounds as if all the problems were new, which they are not. They must be seen as part of history and considering the history of medicine. She also said the report describes many things as problems which Hispanics do not feel are problems (i. e., large families) and should not be discussed as such. She felt the report did not put the health problems of Hispanics in perspective. Health care is inaccessible to many people, not just Hispanics and she recommends this be further discussed. She recommended a Hispanic write the revision. The revised document should contain more specific recommendations and the recommendations should be tied into the system of other Hispanic organizations. J R L5/G 2/20/81