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