The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice / American Board of Family Practice
-
J Am Board Fam Pract · Jul 1994
ReviewPreventive health care and screening of Latin American immigrants in the United States.
The Central and South American immigrant population in the United States is large and growing. A review of the preventive health care needs of this population has not previously been done but would be helpful to clinicians caring for immigrants in this country. ⋯ Screening is recommended for intestinal parasites and schistosomiasis, tuberculosis, hepatitis B in prenatal patients, leprosy in immigrants from high-risk areas, yearly Papanicolaou smears, malnutrition, iron-deficiency anemia, incomplete immunizations, dental problems, history of violence, and depression. Screening for sickle cell trait in prenatal patients from South America and universal hepatitis B screening are less clearly indicated but could be appropriate. Screening for American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease), malaria, and gastric cancer is not recommended. Screening for HIV infection, functional impairment in the elderly, alcohol use, cigarette smoking, physical inactivity, and hypertension should be the same as for the general population.