Multicultural communities are often resistant to orthopedic surgery, as many can be distrustful of healthcare workers and/or fear diagnosis, according to a recent Latin Post report.
Here are five things to know, according to the report:
1. According to Carlos J. Lavernia, MD, his research proves that the Latino community gets orthopedic surgery later than non-Hispanic whites.
2. He also shows African-Americans receive surgeries even later than Latino patients due to a general distrust in the community, according to the Latin Post.
3. Dr. Lavernia feels is it is crucial to the Latino community to have more orthopedic surgeons "that look like them."
4. Latinos make up 3.8 percent of orthopedic surgery residents, according to the report.
5. Dr. Lavernia is the first Latino medical director of The Center For Advanced Orthopedics at Larkin University in Miami.
"Our communities, which are poor communities compared to white communities, have not been serviced by the best doctors at times…," Dr. Lavernia told the Latin Post.
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