This paper will examine the role that immigration status plays in health status, accessing healthcare services, treatment decisions, and health inequalities and inequities. Immigrants, in particular the undocumented, are underserved and a vulnerable population in regards to access to health and preventive care. Understanding the health status and needs of immigrants, especially those who are undocumented is important because of their growing numbers and their contribution to the health of the United States. Undocumented immigrants face many barriers to receiving healthcare and preventive services: poor or low income, unemployment, lack of insurance coverage, ineligibility for federal social and health programs, language and cultural, and the
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Additionally, health care providers and hospitals have to make difficult and challenging decisions about treatments for undocumented immigrants who are at the end of life stage or present with serious and numerous comorbidities. Like many U.S. citizens, undocumented immigrants’ health status is also affected by the social determinants of health but with one difference, not having federal and/or state public health programs to supplement or provide health care because of ineligibility. Ongoing and future federal and state legislation can help to promote health justice or further create injustices for this vulnerable population. Providing access to health care for immigrants regardless of documentation status can be seen from a social justice position as well as a public health one. Either position would benefit undocumented immigrants, improve community health, and prevent illness by being …show more content…
The article, Assuring The Health of Immigrants: What the Leading Health Indicators Tell Us, discusses the health of immigrants as it pertains to the leading health indicators, which are important public health issues that require action and are measurable. The “ability of immigrants to access health-care services varies widely, depending on their immigration status, their country of origin, and their ability to navigate linguistic and cultural barriers” (Kandula, Kersey, and Lurie 2004,
Additionally, health care providers and hospitals have to make difficult and challenging decisions about treatments for undocumented immigrants who are at the end of life stage or present with serious and numerous comorbidities. Like many U.S. citizens, undocumented immigrants’ health status is also affected by the social determinants of health but with one difference, not having federal and/or state public health programs to supplement or provide health care because of ineligibility. Ongoing and future federal and state legislation can help to promote health justice or further create injustices for this vulnerable population. Providing access to health care for immigrants regardless of documentation status can be seen from a social justice position as well as a public health one. Either position would benefit undocumented immigrants, improve community health, and prevent illness by being …show more content…
The article, Assuring The Health of Immigrants: What the Leading Health Indicators Tell Us, discusses the health of immigrants as it pertains to the leading health indicators, which are important public health issues that require action and are measurable. The “ability of immigrants to access health-care services varies widely, depending on their immigration status, their country of origin, and their ability to navigate linguistic and cultural barriers” (Kandula, Kersey, and Lurie 2004,