Defining Hispanic/Latino and Indigenous Populations
It is crucial to differentiate between the terms Hispanic and Latino.
Hispanic specifically pertains to individuals with ancestry from
Spanish-speaking countries, whereas Latino broadly encompasses
individuals with roots in Latin American regions, including Central
America, South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean.6Hispanics/Latinos are a unique population as, despite facing a growing
number of healthcare disparities, they continue to be the
fastest-growing ethnic/racial demographic in the United
States.6 Similarly, it is crucial to distinguish among
the terms Indigenous, Native American, First Nations, and Aboriginal.
Indigenous is a more encompassing term, applicable globally, referring
to the first peoples of various regions worldwide, emphasizing their
shared cultural and ancestral connections.7-9 Native
American refers specifically to the Indigenous peoples of the United
States, whereas First Nations often refers to Indigenous peoples of
Canada. The term Aboriginal is commonly used to refer to the original
inhabitants of Australia.8, 10-13