Undocumented immigrants and their use of medical services in Orange County, California

Abstract

a b s t r a c tDoes an undocumented immigration status predict the use of medical services? To explore this question, this paper examines medical care utilization of undocumented Latino immigrants compared to Latino legal immigrants and citizens, and non-Latino whites in Orange County, California. Data were collected through a random sample telephone survey of 805 Latinos and 396 non-Hispanic whites between January 4 and January 30, 2006. Findings show that undocumented immigrants had relatively low incomes and were less likely to have medical insurance; experience a number of stresses in their lives; and underutilize medical services when compared to legal immigrants and citizens. Predictors of use of medical services are found to include undocumented immigration status, medical insurance, education, and gender. Undocumented Latinos were found to use medical services less than legal immigrants and citizens, and to rely more on clinic-based care when they do seek medical services.

Bad Biocitizens?: Latinos and the US "Obesity Epidemic"

“…Moreover, Latinos were described as being ignorant about biomedical knowledge and having larger than normal body ideals that combined unfavorably with increased "acculturation" to mainstream U.S. lifestyles (for examples, see Buscemi et al, 2011, Cachelin et al, 2006, Chamorro and Flores-Ortiz, 2000, Fitzgerald, 2010, Gomel and Zamora, 2007, Gordon-Larsen et al, 2003, Matheson et al, 2006, Perez-Escamilla, 2009and Sussner et al, 2008. Latinos were also subject to the general stereotypes that apply to all fat people in the U.S.: they were widely seen as lazy, irresponsible, and a drain on social services (Chavez, 2008(Chavez, , 2012.…”

Understanding social determinants of healthcare access from the perspective of Hispanic Latino immigrants in Louisville, Ky.

“…Participant narratives indicated that the most significant availability barriers to accessing healthcare service in Louisville were predominantly related to organizational factors such as limited time and availability of healthcare providers, limited availability and training of Spanish to English interpreters, lack of patient-provider communication, and lack of language and cultural competency among providers. These findings were consistent with the literature, which indicated that limited office hours, availability of appointments and longer waiting times resulted in delayed access to healthcare (Betancourt, 2006;Derose, Escarce, & Lurie, 2007;Chavez, 2012;Escarce & Kapur, 2006;Peters et al, 2008). Studies also identified lack of cultural and language competency among healthcare providers and delivery of services as significant barriers to healthcare access among HLI (Asanin & Wilson, 2008;Castaneda et al, 2011;Rivers & Patino, 2006).…”

“…Perceived barriers associated with undocumented status include fear of deportation and feelings of inferior treatment evidenced by poorer quality of care. Findings from a recent study by Chavez (2012) on undocumented HLI indicate increased stressors related to immigration status led to underutilization of medical services and health insurance. Rodriguez et al, (2009) in a national study found that undocumented HLI were less likely to report having received excellent or good quality of care, and more likely to receive no health or healthcare information from providers when compared to the U.S.-born.…”

Examining perceived barriers to healthcare access for Hispanics in a southern urban community

“…Despite existing evidence indicating that undocumented immigrants have lower educational and income levels, and were highly likely to be uninsured and underutilize healthcare services due to fears of deportation, [6,16] this study illuminated a critical area-unidentified communicable diseases among the undocumented. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) [20] reported that HIV/AIDS disproportionately affects Hispanics, representing 21% of new HIV infections in the U.S. in 2010.…”

“…Consistent with literature, limited availability of appointments and longer waiting times resulted in delayed access to healthcare. [15][16][17] Studies also identified lack of interpreter services and cultural competency among healthcare providers as significant barriers to access for Hispanics. [18,19] However, even when seeking health services in federally funded organizations, which are mandated under Title VI to provide interpreter services, participants emphasized the limited availability of appropriate interpreter services.…”