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?

46,535 thoughts on “Access to Healthcare for Immigrants

  1. I hope I can continue to see your posts in the future. One of your articles is of great help to me. Thank you for repaying me with good writing in the future. 🙂 토토사이트추천

    Reply

  2. คาสิโนออนไลน์ คาสิโนออนไลน์ดีที่สุด เกมคาสิโนออนไลน์ เดิมพันคาสิโน ทางเข้าคาสิโน สมัครคาสิโนออนไลน์ UFABET ufabetเว็บตรงทางเข้า.

    คาสิโน

    Reply

  3. “Spiderman Christmas Sweater – 500+ Spiderman Christmas Sweater for men, women, boys and girls at StirTshirt. Spiderman Christmas Sweater from StirTshirt ✓ Unique designs ✓ Large assortment ✓ Easy 30 day return policy ✓ Shop Christmas Sweater now! Shop high-quality unique Spiderman Christmas Sweater designed and sold by independent artists. Available in a range of colours and styles for men, women.

    Website: https://stirtshirt.com/collections/spiderman-christmas-sweater/

    Address: 2974 Mansion Ave, Claymont, DE 19703, United States
    Phone: 1(856)942-8527
    #stirtshirt, #christmasshirts, #SpidermanChristmasSweater, #christmas, #tshirt, #hoodie, #poster, #customize, #personalized, #gifts”

    Reply

  4. stunning, great, I was wondering how to cure skin break out ordinarily. likewise, found your site by google, took in an extraordinary arrangement, now i’m fairly clear. I’ve bookmark your site and moreover incorporate rss. keep us invigorated. DoramasFlix

    Reply

  5. UFABET เว็บตรงไม่ผ่านเอเย่นต์เว็บไหนดี UFABETมือถือ UFABETไม่ผ่านเอเย่นต์ UFABETยอดนิยม ufabetเว็บตรงทางเข้า ufabetอันไหนดีสุด.

    UFABETสมัคร

    Reply

  6. Great content material and great layout. Your website deserves all of the positive feedback it’s been getting.

    Reply

  7. nice post. I learn something new and challenging on blogs that I come across everyday. It will always be useful to read content from other authors and use something from other websites. Feel free to visit my website;einfonet

    Reply

  8. 게임에 관심이 있지만 인센티브나 상금을 받지 못하십니까? 시도 우리의 라이브 바카라 우리는 당신이 플레이하고 더 많은 보상을 얻을 수 있는 많은 게임을 가지고 있습니다.

    Reply

  9. 슬롯 Excellent article ! We are linking to this particularly great content on our website.

    Keep up the great writing.

    Reply

  10. SLOT4D Indonesia paling gacor bisa bikin happy. Login sekarang dan jadi rajanya slot 4d di game yang gampang menang dan jackpot! slot4d

    Reply

  11. This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing blog that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free.

    바카라사이트

    Reply

  12. Hello there, Not long determined your web blog each one Yahoo minimal hunting for for instance types of educative guide as well models win over beholds astonishingly fantastic in my view. poker88 asia

    Reply

  13. IT’S PERFECT TIME TO MAKE A FEW PLANS FOR THE FUTURE AND IT IS TIME TO BE HAPPY. I’VE LEARN THIS SUBMIT AND IF I MAY JUST I DESIRE TO RECOMMEND YOU SOME ATTENTION-GRABBING THINGS OR ADVICE. MAYBE YOU COULD WRITE SUBSEQUENT ARTICLES REFERRING TO THIS ARTICLE. I WANT TO READ EVEN MORE ISSUES APPROXIMATELY IT!
    경마

    Reply

  14. “Spiderman Ugly Christmas Sweater – 500+ Spiderman Ugly Christmas Sweater for men, women, boys and girls at StirTshirt. Spiderman Ugly Christmas Sweater from StirTshirt ✓ Unique designs ✓ Large assortment ✓ Easy 30 day return policy ✓ Shop Spiderman Ugly Christmas Sweater now! Shop high-quality unique Spiderman Ugly Christmas Sweater designed and sold by independent artists. Available in a range of colours and styles for men, women.

    Website: https://stirtshirt.com/collections/spiderman-ugly-christmas-sweater/

    Address: 2974 Mansion Ave, Claymont, DE 19703, United States
    Phone: 1(856)942-8527
    #stirtshirt, #christmasshirts, #SpidermanUglyChristmasSweater , #christmas, #tshirt, #hoodie, #poster, #customize, #personalized, #gifts

    Reply

  15. mard musalsal tafreeh par ghhor karte hain aur apni khwahisaat ko poora karne ki koshish karte hain. inhen Shaz o nadir hi mashq karne ka mauqa milta hai. Lahore ki mumtaz baaligh gharelo khawateen ke tor par, yeh hamari zimma daari hai ke hum gahkon ko aala tareen khidmaat jald faraham karen. hum kisi bhi aadmi ki zaroriat ke sath sath deegar tafrehi zaroriat ko poora karne ki salahiyat rakhtay hain. woh purkashish mardon se rabita karne se lutaf andoz hotay hain. Lahore ki kam sharah 3000 cal girls waqai mard ki tamam zaroriat poori karne mein ba-salahiyat hain .

    Reply

  16. hum aap ka istaqbaal karte hain. hamari online community mein aap ka kher muqaddam hai. call girls in lahore yeh herat angaiz aur zabardast hai ke aap call girls Lahore jaisay shehar mein jo is waqt Lahore mein sab se ziyada taraqqi Yafta hai, mein baghair hum se bach nahi satke .

    Reply

  17. You have written a very nice blog, and all your pictures are wonderful. I think you have written this blog from the bottom of your heart.esarkariyojna

    Reply

  18. I just found this good blog and have high hopes for it to continue. Keep up the great work, its hard to find good ones. I have added to my favorites. Thank You.einfonet

    Reply

  19. [URL =https://blashsmm.com/]ارخص سيرفر بيع متابعين[/URL]

    Reply

  20. Your article has answered the question I was wondering about! I would like to write a thesis on this subject, but I would like you to give your opinion once 😀 bitcoincasino

    Reply

  21. Voltasun ist ihr Berater wenn es um Photovoltaik Anlagen geht im Saarland. Eine Photovoltaikanlage mit Batteriespeicher sichert eine unabhängige Stromversorgung. Nicht nur das man seinen eigenen Strom produziert, sondern man spart damit auch noch sehr viel Geld über die Zeit. Während die Strompreise rapide klettern in Deutschland, man gewarnt wird vor Stromausfällen, kann einem das als Besitzer einer eigenen Photovoltaikanlage egal sein. Jetzt anrufen und sofort beraten lassen. Photovoltaik Saarland

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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