Author(s):
Substance use among Hispanic teenagers is a growing concern, as it presents unique hazards and barriers that contribute to health disparities. This article examines the challenges faced by Hispanic teenagers in the United States in accessing substance abuse prevention and treatment services. Factors such as cultural stigma, lack of access to culturally competent care, and social determinants of health, including poverty and discrimination, disproportionately affect Hispanic adolescents. Strategies to address these challenges, including culturally tailored prevention and treatment programs, community-based interventions, and policy advocacy, are discussed. Ultimately, addressing the hazards and barriers to substance use treatment and prevention among Hispanic teenagers requires a comprehensive approach that considers the social, cultural, and economic factors that contribute to health disparities.
