Dataset Information

Healthcare access among circular and undocumented Mexican migrants: results from a pilot survey on the Mexico-US border.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Temporary and unauthorized migrants may face unique obstacles to access health care services in the U.S.

Objective

This study estimated levels of health care access among Mexican migrants returning to Mexico from the U.S. and factors associated with access to health care, with emphasis on the role of modifiable, enabling factors.

Methods

We conducted a pilot probability health care survey of migrants in the border city of Tijuana, Mexico (N=186).

Results

Approximately 42% of migrants reported having used health care services in the U.S. during the past year. Only 38% had a usual source of care and approximately 11% went without needed medical care in the U.S. About 71% of migrants did not have health insurance in the U.S. Lack of health insurance and transportation limitations were significantly related to various access indicators.

Conclusion

These results have implications for future policies and programs aimed to address modifiable health care access barriers faced by these vulnerable and underserved segments of the Mexican migrant population.

SUBMITTER: Martinez-Donate AP

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4213859 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Healthcare access among circular and undocumented Mexican migrants: results from a pilot survey on the Mexico-US border.

Martinez-Donate Ana P AP Zhang Xiao X Rangel M Gudelia MG Hovell Melbourne M Simon Norma-Jean NJ Amuedo-Dorantes Catalina C Sipan Carol C Guendelman Sylvia S

International journal of migration and border studies 20140101 1

<h4>Background</h4>Temporary and unauthorized migrants may face unique obstacles to access health care services in the U.S.<h4>Objective</h4>This study estimated levels of health care access among Mexican migrants returning to Mexico from the U.S. and factors associated with access to health care, with emphasis on the role of modifiable, enabling factors.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted a pilot probability health care survey of migrants in the border city of Tijuana, Mexico (N=186).<h4>Results</h4>A ...[more]

PMID: 25364381

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundMany countries aspiring to achieve universal health coverage struggle with how to ensure health coverage for undocumented migrants. Using a case study of maternal health care in a Thailand-Myanmar border region this article explores coverage for migrants, service provision challenges and the contribution of a voluntary health insurance program.MethodsIn 2018 we interviewed 18 key informants who provided, oversaw or contributed to maternal healthcare services for migrant women in the border region of Tak province, Thailand.ResultsIn this region, we found that public and non-profit providers helped increase healthcare coverage beyond undocumented migrants' official entitlements. Interview participants explained that Free and low-cost antenatal care (ANC) is provided to undocumented migrants through migrant specific clinics, outreach programs and health posts. Hospitals offer emergency birth care, although uninsured migrant patients are subsequently billed for the services. Care providers identified sustainability, institutional debt from unpaid obstetric hospital bills, cross border logistical difficulties and the late arrival of patients requiring emergency lifesaving interventions as challenges when providing care to undocumented migrants. An insurance fund was developed to provide coverage for costly emergency interventions at Thai government hospitals. The insurance fund, along with existing free and low-cost services, helped increase population coverage, range of services and financial protection for undocumented migrants.ConclusionsThis case study offers considerations for extending health coverage to undocumented populations. Non-profit insurance funds can help to improve healthcare entitlements, provide financial protection and reduce service providers' debt. However, there are limits to programs that offer voluntary coverage for undocumented migrants. High costs associated with emergency interventions along with gaps in insurance coverage challenge the sustainability for NGO, non-profit and government health providers and may be financially disastrous for patients. Finally, in international border regions with high mobility, it may be valuable to implement and strengthen cross border referrals and health insurance for migrants.

Project description:ObjectivesWe aimed to map the social determinants of meeting the healthcare needs of undocumented migrants living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) throughout their migration journey (from the country of origin to the country(/ies) of transit and destination).DesignWe conducted a scoping review.Data sourcesWe searched literature in Medline, Embase, Web of Science and Google Scholar.Eligibility criteriaWe included articles that describe interventions, programmes or policies for undocumented migrants living with cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, or diabetes. There were no restrictions by setting (eg, hospital, community or mobile clinic) or country. We included articles published in English, Spanish, or French between 2000 to 2022.Data extraction and synthesisThe data were structured according to the Commission on Social Determinants of Health framework, differentiated along the migration journey (country of origin, transit, departure and integration, and country of destination). A new conceptual model emerged from data synthesis.ResultsWe included 22 studies out of 953 identified articles. They reported data from Italy, the USA, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, France, Austria, and Sweden. They show that individual determinants (material, biological, psychosocial and behavioural) evolve throughout the migration journey and influence healthcare needs. The satisfaction of these needs is conditioned by health system-related determinants such as availability and accessibility. However, the individual and health-system determinants depend on the political and legal context of both the country of origin and the country(/ies) of destination, as well as on the socioeconomic position of undocumented migrants in the destination country.ConclusionsMigrant health policies should aim at better responding to NCDs-related healthcare needs of undocumented migrants throughout their migration journey, taking into account the social, economic and legal factors that underlie their health vulnerability.

Dataset Information

Healthcare access among circular and undocumented Mexican migrants: results from a pilot survey on the Mexico-US border.

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Healthcare access among circular and undocumented Mexican migrants: results from a pilot survey on the Mexico-US border.

Similar Datasets

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