The short version
- Primera Hora reported that 47% of caregivers suffer from three or more chronic conditions, led by hypertension at 52.6%, high cholesterol at 45.5% and joint diseases at 34.3%
- According to the Department of Health, 14.6% of adults 18 and older, or 374,260 people, are informal caregivers providing unpaid regular help
- HolaNews indicated 59.6% of caregivers are women, 54.2% are 60 or older, 54% have provided care for five years or more without interruption and 37.8% dedicate 40 or more hours weekly
- The study found 78.7% have overweight or obesity, 47.4% did no physical activity in the past 30 days, 39.9% sleep six hours or less daily and 35.9% rate their health as fair or poor
High Chronic Disease Burden
The Department of Health released the findings in a statement on Tuesday in the report titled ‘Perfil de Cuidadores Informales en Puerto Rico 2025’. The profile was prepared by the Healthy Aging Section using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. Primera Hora reported that 47% of caregivers have three or more chronic conditions. Other conditions include depressive disorders at 25.9% and asthma at 24.5%.
The same report shows 78.7% of caregivers have overweight or obesity, 47.4% reported no physical activity in the last 30 days, 39.9% sleep six or fewer hours per day and 46.5% have at least one functional difficulty related to mobility, hearing, vision or concentration. HolaNews reported the same percentages.
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What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
El 47% de los cuidadores en Puerto Rico padece tres o más enfermedades crónicas
Our translation: 47% of caregivers in Puerto Rico suffer from three or more chronic conditions
The source's own statement, as quoted by Primera Hora. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Demographic Profile
Nearly one in seven adults 18 and older, or 14.6% equivalent to 374,260 citizens, identified as informal caregivers who provide regular unpaid assistance to a family member, partner or neighbor. The sociodemographic profile shows a gender and age gap: 59.6% are women and 54.2% are 60 years or older. In addition, 55.1% are divorced, widowed, separated or single and 54% have performed these caregiving duties uninterrupted for five years or more.
The study highlights the high physical, emotional and economic demands on this population. According to the data, 37.8% dedicate 40 or more hours a week to caring for another person. In tasks performed, 77.4% handle complex domestic work such as managing finances, preparing food or cleaning, while 54.2% provide direct personal assistance with bathing, dressing, feeding or medication administration.
Economic and Health Strain
In economic terms, 30.5% reported annual incomes below $20,000 and 35.9% described their general health status as fair or poor. The Department of Health presented the report as representative of the caregiver population in Puerto Rico.
Where the sources differ
Primera Hora and HolaNews report identical statistics and background on the Department of Health’s ‘Perfil de Cuidadores Informales en Puerto Rico 2025’ study drawn from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Both outlets attribute the data to a Tuesday statement from the agency’s Healthy Aging Section. The two sources agree on every figure, from the 14.6% caregiver prevalence and 374,260 individuals to the breakdowns by condition, hours of care, tasks, income and self-rated health. No numerical or interpretive differences appear between the articles.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state the total number or percentage of caregivers who have exactly one or two chronic conditions. They provide no information on the age or health status of the people receiving care, the specific economic costs borne by caregivers, or any government programs or recommendations that address caregiver health. The sources also do not indicate when the survey data were collected or whether the profile will lead to new policies.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official Casi la mitad de los cuidadores en Puerto Rico padece de tres o más enfermedades crónicas
- Reporting Casi la mitad de los cuidadores en Puerto Rico padece de tres o más enfermedades crónicas
- Reporting El 47 % de los cuidadores en Puerto Rico padece de tres o más enfermedades crónicas
How we checked this
Both Primera Hora and HolaNews published substantially the same article based on the Department of Health’s Tuesday statement. All figures and demographic details rest on that single official release and the underlying Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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