According to a recent report from Essence magazine Hispanics suffer symptoms of Alzheimer's disease an average of seven years earlier than non-Lation white Americans. This information was obtained from a study by the University of Pennslyvania School of Medicine.

On a related note, according to research conducted by the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine, Latinos are at greater risk of loss of vision. A five-year study of Latino men and women in the LosAngeles area screened people for eye diseases, high Blood pressure and diabetes. The participants were over age 40 and most were of Mexsican descent. Many had previously undiagnosed diabetes, open-angle glaucoma and other eye threatening diseases.

"Many of these diseases would have been reduced and likely prevented," said Dr. Rohit Varma who was the lead author of the study.

Although diverse populaations have diverse diseases to treat one thing is certain - having an early check-up can greatly enhance a person's chances to treat diseases.

Source: USA WEEKEND. Special report from Essence magazine. November 3-7, 2004 pp. 7-10.

George T. Rowan, Ph.D. is a professor in the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources at Michigan State University and a member of the Ingham County Extension Board. He is also state president of AARP.