The goal of this module is to provide the learner with an overview of some of the most common health issues that affect Hispanic/Latina women living in the U.S. The ten leading causes of death and illness for all Hispanic/Latina women in 2004 include the following in rank order (1):

1. Heart disease
2. Cancer
3. Stroke
4. Diabetes
5. Unintentional injuries
6. Influenza & pneumonia
7. Chronic lower respiratory diseases
8. Alzheimer's disease
9. Perinatal conditions
10. Kidney disease

This module will cover the following topics:

1. Cancer in Hispanic/Latina Women
1. Cervical cancer
2. Breast cancer
3. Stomach, liver and biliary duct
2. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)
3. Maternal Health
1. Prenatal care
2. Gestational diabetes
3. Preterm birth
4. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)

Learning objectives - after completing this module, the learner will be able to:

• Discuss the epidemiology, morbidity and mortality rates, beliefs, and preventive approaches of cervical and breast cancer in Hispanic/Latina women;
• Describe the epidemiology, risk factors, beliefs and preventive approaches to STI in Hispanic/Latina women;
• Discuss the epidemiology, risk factors and significance of prenatal care, gestational diabetes and preterm births in Hispanic/Latina women;
• Discuss the epidemiology, risk factors for both immigrant and non-immigrant Latinas, beliefs and approaches to intimate partner violence in Hispanic/Latina women.

Start with the "Pre-test". Be sure to complete all of the questions and don't forget to click on the "Submit" button. Then move on to the "Cancer" and review it carefully. The end of this section will take you to "Case 1" and "Case 2". This will then be followed with "Cervical Cancer" and "Breast Cancer", and so on. Remember, questions will be asked about how each case relates to the information you read about. Be sure to review all of the learning material provided to you. This module will finish with the "Post-test". Be sure to submit your answers for credit. We also ask that you complete a short evaluation about the module (this is part of the assignment - so please complete the evaluation!). Your feedback will help us in making this learning module as effective as it can be. Contact Pam Racansky at racansky@u.washington.edu if you have any problems with the module. Good luck!

1. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Leading causes of death by age group, Hispanic females, U.S., 2004. Accessed on 12/25/2007 at http://www.cdc.gov/women/lcod/04hispanic.pdf .