Hispanic

Hispanic and Latino immigrants make up one of Collier County’s largest yet most underrepresented communities. As of 2020, more than one quarter of Collier’s population was born outside of the United States. Still, immigrants in the area face numerous socioeconomic challenges — including access to health care.According to The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Hispanic people are more likely to be uninsured than any other racial or ethnic group. A study published in March of this year by the Kaiser Family Foundation said that Hispanics in this country have higher death rates from diabetes than white people. That study used data from several federal agencies, and found the age-adjusted rate of death from diabetes for every 100,000 Hispanics was 29; it was 22 for white Americans.

Hispanics/Latinos make up the leading demographic for COVID-19 cases in Florida, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC says Hispanics account for 24% of COVID cases, yet only 18% of the total population.

A Cape Coral high school student was recently selected out of 13,000 students for a national award.Alejandra Baptista, 18, received the Hispanic Heritage…