Posted on 51,990 Comments on Access to Healthcare for Immigrants

Access to Healthcare for Immigrants

Access to healthcare can be determined by several factors (i.e. geographical location, income, insurance)–being an immigrant, especially a recent immigrant to the U.S., is one of these factors. In Albany, NY, the immigrant population has grown over the past few years and currently, 13.2% of the population consists of individuals that were not born in the U.S. (1). Coming to a new country presents many unique challenges, but access to healthcare is one that can prevent individuals from adjusting well and living a safe and healthy lifestyle.

Health Insurance

Due to their lack of citizenship after first moving to the U.S., health insurance options can be limited for immigrants, especially for undocumented immigrants (2). This limits access to many providers who only accept patients with insurance, and while undocumented immigrants can sometimes receive care from community health centers, this care is often only basic primary care or to be used in emergencies (2).

In New York state, all children can receive the Child Health Plus plan, regardless of their immigration status. This plan is comprehensive and includes preventative care, well-child visits, and emergency services (3). Additionally, pregnant women can receive Medicaid regardless of immigration status and some documented immigrants may qualify for the Essential Plan soon after they move to NY (2). However, if an individual does not fit into these categories, the only services that an undocumented immigrant may receive are emergency services (2). While this is beneficial, it leaves out the preventative care and services that can treat symptoms before they worsen beyond control.

Translation Services & Health Literacy

Many immigrant families, especially when they first immigrate to the U.S., are considered to have low English proficiency (LEP). This makes communication in healthcare settings a challenge and can be a barrier to receiving quality care, as the patient and provider cannot have a direct, fluid conversation. Some health care settings in New York have put up this ‘Language Identification Tool Poster’ that allows patients to point to their language, so that appropriate translation services may be provided.  A portion of the poster is shown below, with a link to the full poster here:

While resources such as this poster can help, patients and providers would still not be able to speak directly to each other, and would only be able to communicate through a translator.

Additionally, understanding health insurance options can also be difficult when there is a language barrier, as there are different requirements for each plan. A search engine can be found here for in-person help. This search engine consists of a directory of in-person helpers that can assist individuals in navigating the health system and health insurance plans specifically. While only eight languages are supported, including English, this service can benefit some individuals in understanding how to receive health services for themselves and their families.

COVID-19

With the current pandemic, language barriers present a unique challenge in being able to transmit public health information clearly to the general population. As immigrants make up a large portion of the population, it is essential that they understand basic information about the virus and are able to practice appropriate measures to limit the spread of the virus. Valleywise Health Medical Center in Arizona has made a series of videos available on Youtube that describe what COVID-19 is and what to do if you are sick. These videos have been made available in 12 languages, one of which can be played below.

These videos can be incredibly helpful for individuals that may not understand what is happening in their local communities as a result the virus, but coming across these videos may not be common for many immigrants, as they require some searching. It would therefore be helpful for similar resources and information to be sent to or made available to local communities, either in the style of videos or in pamphlet form.

While many resources exist to help immigrants navigate the healthcare system and obtain information about resources, these resources are not always used or made readily available to immigrant families. Many require searching and prior knowledge about websites and organizations that usually provide public health, insurance, and language services. In the future, it would be important to ensure that immigrants are aware of the resources that exist so that they can have access to the healthcare that they might need. What are some ways this could be done?

51,990 thoughts on “Access to Healthcare for Immigrants”

  2. Nurture your business growth with our data-first approach. Harness the power of analytics to cultivate meaningful insights and reap the rewards of informed decision-making. Let us plant the seeds of success in your digital journey. Website Building

    Reply

  3. Thank you for providing such a beautiful content and Your blog provided some useful information.Keep on sharing more.your explanations was too good.Each of your stuff is so pleasurable and valuable.Keep on sharing more.traffic lawyer spotsylvania va

    Reply

  4. ALEXISTOGEL adalah situs bandar toto hongkong dengan diskon togel dan hadiah togel terbesar untuk Anda. Dapatkan pengalaman terbaik bermain togel hongkong bersama ALEXISTOGEL <a href="https://188.166.250.255/"situs toto hongkong

    Reply

  5. JASABOLA menyediakan link KUBET website bandar bola terbesar di Asia selama 18 tahun. Sponsor resmi La Liga dengan pasaran paling lengkap liga di seluruh dunia. Gratis live streaming pertandingan bola. Taruhan bola parlay mulai dari 1000 Rupiah. WARUNGSLOT

    Reply

  11. Stunning! Such an astonishing and accommodating post this is. I super love it. It’s so great thus amazing. I am simply stunned. I trust that you keep on doing your work like this later on moreover 뉴토끼

    Reply

  12. QINGDAO STRENX fitness industry company is a professional manufacturer of fitness equipment, gym equipment, powerlifting equipment, home gym fitness equipment, CrossFit equipment, home fitness equipment, etc. gym equipment supplier

    Reply

  14. The practical advice and actionable tips you provide in your blog posts are incredibly helpful. Thank you for sharing your expertise slot demo 1000

    Reply

  15. When your website or blog goes live for the first time, it is exciting. That is until you realize no one but you and your. Elva Guerra Age

    Reply

  16. You made such an interesting piece to read, giving every subject enlightenment for us to gain knowledge. Thanks for sharing the such information with us to read this… Elva Guerra Age

    Reply

  19. That is why selling advertising campaigns marketing so that you could invaluable explore previous advertisment. Quite simply to jot down stronger set that fit this description. 物流籠車

    Reply

  22. Remarkable points altogether, you simply gained present day reader. What may want to you advocate in regards in your post which you simply made a few days within the past? Any positive? ugslot

    Reply

  23. Thank you again for all the knowledge you distribute,Good post. I was very interested in the article, it’s quite inspiring I should admit. I like visiting you site since I always come across interesting articles like this one.Great Job, I greatly appreciate that.Do Keep sharing! Regards, purrfessor.com

    Reply

  25. This is a great inspiring article.I am pretty much pleased with your good work.You put really very helpful information. Keep it up. Keep blogging. Looking to reading your next post. daman app

    Reply

  29. This is a great inspiring article.I am pretty much pleased with your good work.You put really very helpful information. Keep it up. Keep blogging. Looking to reading your next post. Great site

    Reply

  32. i read a lot of stuff and i found that the way of writing to clearifing that exactly want to say was very good so i am impressed and ilike to come again in future.. بت مجیک

    Reply

  48. Joss77 Kami juga memiliki metode transaksi yang sangat lengkap yang bekerjasama dengan berbagai pihak

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *