Health care barriers for Latino children and provision of culturally competent care

The demography of the United States is rapidly changing. The impressive growth rate of Latino populations within the United States has great impact on health care. This article includes discussion of a significant increase from 1988 to 2000 in Latino utilization of emergency department and inpatient services at a pediatric medical center in Salt Lake City, Utah, information on health care barriers for Latinos, and suggestions for providing culturally competent care.