Access to Health Care and Mental Health Among Latino Students in San Diego

Abstract

Purpose: Depression during adolescence has important consequences, and Latino adolescents face different mental health challenges compared with peers from other ethnic groups. In this article we investigate whether access to a primary care physician affects the mental health of Latino high school students. Methods: Our data are drawn from a unique sample survey conducted in San Diego County in 2016. Classrooms were randomly selected from six area high schools, and students currently attending school were recruited to complete the survey in class. Self-reported depression screener (Patient Health Questionnaire-2) and loneliness were collected as outcome variables, and access to a primary care physician was the main independent variable. Results: Our multilevel logistic regression linking access to a physician and being at risk for major depression resulted in an odds ratio (OR) of 0.316 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.184-0.544), whereas the multilevel logistic regression relating access to a physician and feeling lonely resulted an OR of 0.371 (95% CI: 0.215-0.639). Conclusion:This study provides evidence from a novel setting to demonstrate the link between mental health and access to health services within a minority population. Because many of the Latino adolescents in our sample come from mixed status families, this finding is particularly important in the current policy climate of the United States, in which the future of access to health care for many immigrant families is highly uncertain.

Depressive symptoms among adolescents in six sub-Saharan African countries: A pooled analysis of associated factors

“…We examined a range of factors across multiple domains, which were also examined in the analysis by Nyundo et al ( Nyundo et al, 2020 ) and have been examined in other previous analyses exploring potential risk factors for depressive disorders in adolescents globally (see Supplementary Methods for details) ( O’Neil et al, 2014 , Stikkelbroek et al, 2016 , Bohman et al, 2017 , Orri et al, 2021 , Mridha et al, 2021 , Rock, 2016 , Gautam et al, 2021 , Arhin et al, 2019 , Park et al, 2018 , Oddy et al, 2009 , Dziedzic et al, 2021 , Danielsson et al, 2013 , Gell-Redman et al, 2020 ). In the current analysis, we also examined the following additional nutrition, physical activity and social indices: highest site-specific quartile of time spent watching television in a day, highest site-specific quartile of time spent using the internet in a day, participating in physical education ≥4 days per week, and dietary diversity measures.…”

“…Depressive disorders among adolescents are understood to be influenced by multiple risk factors, including demographic and socioeconomic status, relationships with parents and peers, and other health-related habits such as sedentary behaviors ( O’Neil et al, 2014 , Stikkelbroek et al, 2016 , Bohman et al, 2017 , Orri et al, 2021 , Mridha et al, 2021 , Rock, 2016 , Gautam et al, 2021 , Arhin et al, 2019 , Park et al, 2018 , Oddy et al, 2009 , Dziedzic et al, 2021 , Danielsson et al, 2013 , Gell-Redman et al, 2020 ). Importantly, while risk factors may be broadly similar across settings, population-specific evidence from regions such as SSA assessing a range of potential risk factors is key to informing the most suitable and effective strategies to address depressive disorders among adolescents.…”

Universal Health Care for the United States: A Primer for Health Care Providers

“…39,59 Gaining insurance Shows an almost immediate improvement in mental health, most notably for depression. 78,79 Improves cancer-related mortality, with Black women demonstrating the greatest benefit. 80 Lowers a person's chance of dying.…”