6 Scary Health Conditions Young Hispanics Should Learn About
These six health concerns are worth understanding for young Hispanics and show warning signs or develop months and years before they strike.
1. Type 2 diabetes: It can start before adulthood
Type 2 diabetes develops when the body does not use insulin effectively and blood sugar becomes too high.
A CDC summary of research covering 2002–2018 found that new diagnoses of type 2 diabetes among young people doubled, from approximately nine to 18 cases per 100,000 annually. Hispanic youth were among the groups experiencing the greatest annual increases. Developing diabetes earlier also means more years of exposure to potential complications. CDC
Signs to take seriously: Increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and blurry vision. Type 2 diabetes can also develop with few noticeable symptoms. CDC
What you can do: Ask a healthcare professional whether your family history and other risk factors make blood sugar testing appropriate. Having relatives with diabetes is useful information to share, not a reason to assume a diagnosis is inevitable.
2. Depression: When “I’m just tired” becomes something deeper
Depression can affect mood, energy, concentration, sleep, appetite, and the ability to enjoy everyday life. It deserves the same seriousness as a physical illness.
In the CDC’s 2025 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 37% of Hispanic or Latino high school students reported persistent sadness or hopelessness during the previous year. This survey measure signals emotional distress; it does not mean 37% had a clinical diagnosis of depression. MMWR
Signs to take seriously: Persistent sadness or emptiness, loss of interest, changes in sleep or appetite, difficulty concentrating, or feeling worthless. Symptoms lasting at least two weeks and interfering with daily life warrant professional evaluation. Treatment can include psychotherapy, medication, or both. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
What you can do: Start with a primary care professional, school counselor, or licensed therapist. You can ask for care in your preferred language. If someone is in immediate danger or cannot stay safe, seek emergency help immediately.
3. Metabolic fatty liver disease: You do not have to drink to develop it
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, or MASLD, involves excess fat accumulating in the liver. Many sources still use its former name, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, this condition is most common among Hispanic and Asian American children. Some people develop an inflammatory form that can progress to liver scarring, although most children with the simpler form do not develop liver complications. NIDDK
Signs to take seriously: Often, there are none. Some people experience fatigue or discomfort in the upper-right abdomen. Insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, abnormal cholesterol, and excess body weight can increase risk. NIDDK
What you can do: Discuss your metabolic health and family history with a clinician. Depending on your circumstances, evaluation may include liver blood tests and other testing. Symptoms alone cannot diagnose fatty liver disease. NIDDK
4. High blood pressure: Feeling fine does not reveal your numbers
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, means blood pushes against artery walls with consistently excessive force. Over time, it can damage the heart, brain, and kidneys.
It often has no symptoms, which makes measuring it essential. A diagnosis generally requires repeated measurements; one elevated reading does not automatically establish hypertension. CDC
Signs to take seriously: There is no dependable symptom checklist. Waiting for headaches or dizziness can leave high blood pressure undetected. NHLBI, NIH
What you can do: Have your blood pressure checked and ask what the reading means for your age. Family history, diabetes, nicotine use, diet, and other factors can affect risk. Treatment may involve changes in daily habits, medication, or both. This concern applies across ethnic groups; inclusion here does not imply that all young Hispanics have elevated risk. CDC
5. Persistent HPV infection: A common virus with preventable consequences
Human papillomavirus, or HPV, spreads through intimate skin-to-skin contact. Most infections clear on their own within two years. Persistent infections with certain HPV types, however, can cause cervical, anal, penile, and some throat cancers, often years later. HPV affects people of all genders. CDC
For Latino communities, prevention deserves attention: federal data for 2019–2023 show that Hispanic women had a higher cervical cancer incidence rate than women nationwide. Those figures cover all ages and should not be interpreted as a young-adult-specific rate. Office of Minority Health
Signs to take seriously: HPV can be present without visible symptoms. Feeling healthy does not establish whether someone has an infection. CDC
What you can do: Review your HPV vaccination record. CDC recommends catch-up vaccination through age 26 for people who were not adequately vaccinated earlier. People with a cervix should also discuss when screening is due; vaccination does not replace cervical cancer screening. CDC
6. Early-onset colorectal cancer: Persistent symptoms deserve answers
Colorectal cancer begins in the colon or rectum. “Early-onset” generally refers to diagnosis before age 50.
It remains much less common in young adults than older adults, but rates are rising. The American Cancer Society’s Colorectal Cancer Statistics, 2026 reported that incidence among Hispanic adults younger than 50 increased by approximately 4% annually from 2013–2022. That is a change in the population’s diagnosis rate, not a 4% yearly chance of an individual developing cancer. PMC
Signs to take seriously: Blood in the stool, persistent changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain that does not resolve, unexplained weight loss, or iron-deficiency anemia. These symptoms can have other causes, but they warrant medical attention. CDC
What you can do: Average-risk screening generally begins at 45. Family history, certain inherited syndromes, or inflammatory bowel disease may justify earlier screening. Symptoms need evaluation at any age; you do not need to reach screening age to have them investigated. CDC
Frequently asked questions
Does being Hispanic mean I will develop these conditions?
No. Hispanic and Latino communities include many different backgrounds, and population statistics cannot predict an individual’s health. These six conditions also affect people outside Latino communities, and this article does not claim elevated Hispanic risk for every condition listed.
Should every young person get tested for all six?
No. Appropriate testing depends on age, symptoms, medical history, family history, and other risk factors. Some preventive steps—such as checking blood pressure and reviewing vaccination records—differ from diagnostic testing prompted by symptoms.
What should I bring to a medical appointment?
Bring your medication list, vaccination record if available, a description of symptoms and when they began, and relevant family history. For relatives with cancer, knowing the cancer type and age at diagnosis can help guide screening discussions.
Your health deserves attention before a symptom becomes impossible to ignore. Asking questions, sharing family history, and following up on changes are practical ways to protect your future.
This article provides general health information and does not replace individualized medical care.
Meta description: Discover six serious health concerns young Hispanics should understand, including diabetes, depression, fatty liver, HPV, and colorectal cancer.
