Emerging Latino Populations: Social, Health and Educational Needs in Oklahoma City

As the Oklahoma City Latino community’s population increases, Many in this community will feel socially, marginally, and politically invisible. Presented here are some of the challenges Oklahoma City’s Latino population face, including language and cultural barriers, limited English as a Second Language (ESL) education, and lack of health services. Racist attitudes have increased throughout the region. Finding general population statistics easily and readily accessible for Latinos remains difficult. A number of academic, behavioral, and health problems are emerging along with this growing population. Many of these problems are similar to those confronted by other urban Latino groups. These similarities have lead researchers to call for data necessary to address risk factors threatening the Latino community, family, and its’ youth. Many researchers argue that when these data are coupled with innovative CBO programming, they will lesson the widening gap between Latinos being at high risk to better health and social functioning. These data and programs may also serve to make Latino families more resilient. Enhancing the Latino community, its family and youth resiliency, and by improving their coping skills, will allow them to meet many of their own personal familial and social needs.