Posted on 51,947 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?

51,947 thoughts on “Access to Healthcare for Immigrants”

  2. Nice post. I learn something more challenging on distinct blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content off their writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d choose to use some with all the content in my small weblog whether you do not mind. Natually I’ll provide a link on your own internet weblog. Many thanks sharing. botakempire

    Reply

  4. Very nice post and right to the point. I am not sure if this is in fact the best place to ask but do you people have any thoughts on where to hire some professional writers? Thanks POD SALT Nexus 6000 Puffs

    Reply

  6. Regular visits listed here are the easiest method to appreciate your energy, which is why why I am going to the website everyday, searching for new, interesting info. Many, thank you! Monoblock zwembad prijs

    Reply

  7. Wow! Such an amazing and helpful post this is. I really really love it. It’s so good and so awesome. I am just amazed. I hope that you continue to do your work like this in the future also. Zwembaden Belgie

    Reply

  8. Shalamar Hospital’s audiology center provides comprehensive hearing assessments and treatments, offering everything from hearing tests to advanced hearing aids and therapies to improve auditory health.

    Reply

  9. Oh my goodness! an amazing post dude. Many thanks Nonetheless We are experiencing problem with ur rss . Don’t know why Can not sign up to it. Will there be any person obtaining identical rss difficulty? Anybody who knows kindly respond. Thnkx gk88i.com

    Reply

  10. Shalamar Hospital’s audiology center provides comprehensive hearing assessments and treatments, offering everything from hearing tests to advanced hearing aids and therapies to improve auditory health.

    Reply

  11. I want you to thank for your time of this wonderful read!!! I definately enjoy every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff of your blog a must read blog! Isolatie spouwmuur

    Reply

  12. I really enjoyed reading this post, big fan. Keep up the good work andplease tell me when can you publish more articles or where can I read more on the subject? Zwembadbouw

    Reply

  13. Interesting blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A theme like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog jump out. Please let me know where you got your design. With thanks gk88i.com

    Reply

  14. Awesome blog. I enjoyed reading your articles. This is truly a great read for me. I have bookmarked it and I am looking forward to reading new articles. Keep up the good work! Zwembad bouwen tuin

    Reply

  15. I am very enjoyed for this blog. Its an informative topic. It help me very much to solve some problems. Its opportunity are so fantastic and working style so speedy. Spouwmuurisolatie kosten

    Reply

  16. This is a fabulous post I seen because of offer it. It is really what I expected to see trust in future you will continue in sharing such a mind boggling post Prijs zwembad in de tuin

    Reply

  17. Took me time to understand all of the comments, but I seriously enjoyed the write-up. It proved being really helpful to me and Im positive to all of the commenters right here! Its constantly nice when you can not only be informed, but also entertained! I am certain you had enjoyable writing this write-up. Prijs zwembad in de tuin

    Reply

  18. I would like to thnkx for the efforts you’ve put in writing this web site. I’m hoping the same high-grade web site post from you in the upcoming also. Actually your creative writing skills has inspired me to get my own website now. Actually the blogging is spreading its wings fast. Your write up is a good example of it. gk88i.com

    Reply

  20. I’m not sure why but this site is loading extremely
    slow for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it a
    problem on my end? I’ll check back later and see if the problem still
    exists.

    Also visit my website escort service Sarapaka

    Reply

  21. First You got a great blog .I will be interested in more similar topics. i see you got really very useful topics, i will be always checking your blog thanks. Crepi gevels

    Reply

  23. Hi! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a team of volunteers and new initiatives in the same niche. Blog gave us useful information to work. You have done an amazing job! Crepi gevel bepleisteren

    Reply

  24. This is a fabulous post I seen because of offer it. It is really what I expected to see trust in future you will continue in sharing such a mind boggling post Zwembad aanleggen

    Reply

  25. You completed certain reliable points there. I did a search on the subject and found nearly all persons will agree with your blog. Zwembadbouw

    Reply

  26. This is a good post. This post gives truly quality information. I’m definitely going to look into it. Really very useful tips are provided here. Thank you so much. Keep up the good works Zwembaden Nederland

    Reply

  28. ผมเลย ล่าสุด อ่านบล็อกนี้ และรู้สึกตื่นเช้า มาก!

    ประสบการณ์ ที่น่าสนใจด้วย รายละเอียดที่
    ครบถ้วน ทำให้ผมได้รับแง่มุม ใหม่ๆ มากมาย ผมชอบเทคนิค ที่คุณทบทวน ประเด็นต่างๆ อย่างลึกซึ้ง
    และเสนอ แนวคิดที่น่าสนใจ ผมเห็นด้วยในความเห็น หลายจุดที่คุณกล่าวถึง และมองที่เป็นเรื่องในอันสำคัญและควรได้รับการพิจารณา
    อย่างลึกซึ้ง
    นอกจากนี้ ผมยังชอบ ความคิดสร้างสรรค์ ในการสื่อสาร เนื้อหา ถ้อยคำ ที่ใช้เข้าใจง่าย
    และการจัดรูปแบบ ที่น่าสนใจ เพราะ อ่านแล้วไม่รู้สึกเบื่อ เป็นบล็อกที่ทรงพลัง และน่าติดตามอย่างมาก
    ขอบคุณ ที่แบ่งปันข้อมูล และแนวคิด ที่น่าสนใจ ผมรอคอย
    ที่จะอ่านบทความเพิ่มเติม ของคุณในอนาคต และหวังว่าจะได้ได้โอกาส แลกเปลี่ยน มุมมอง กับคุณเช่นเดียวกัน

    Also visit my blog post; หวยออนไลน์24th (olderworkers.com.au)

    Reply

  29. Hi there, I do think your website could possibly be having web browser compatibility issues.
    Whenever I look at your site in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in Internet Explorer,
    it’s got some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to provide you with a quick heads up!

    Other than that, excellent blog!

    My webpage Jackpot Bet Online

    Reply

  30. An interesting discussion is worth comment.
    I believe that you need to publish more on this topic, it may
    not be a taboo subject but typically folks don’t discuss such issues.
    To the next! Many thanks!!

    Feel free to visit my web-site :: http://astro-photography.shop

    Reply

  31. IPTV services offer a wide range of channels and content, catering to diverse viewer preferences.XCIPTV

    Reply

  32. Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular article!
    It is the little changes that make the biggest changes. Thanks for sharing!

    My site: cryptocurrency

    Reply

  33. Hello! I know this is kinda off topic but I’d figured I’d ask.
    Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest
    writing a blog post or vice-versa? My blog addresses
    a lot of the same topics as yours and I believe we could greatly benefit from each other.

    If you might be interested feel free to send me an email.
    I look forward to hearing from you! Terrific blog
    by the way!

    Here is my web site http://zzqs.site

    Reply

  36. we believe a smarter financial future starts with one simple truth: the less you spend, the more you can invest.  Less Invest

    Reply

  37. Learn every step in the process: from a piece of clay to a finished product. Create clay dishware of your own design in just 1 class. Enjoy an interesting, creative and relaxing two-hour class in pottery, hand-building and painting in Los Angeles.

    Learn something new!
    We’re beginner-friendly!
    90% of our customers have no experience whatsoever.

    ● No long-term commitments

    ● No enrollment fee

    ● No membership requirements

    Sign up online:
    Fill out the form and put a preferred day for a visit. We will contact you and confirm an available spot for you.

    8384 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048
    🅿 Parking in the city area is limited to 2 hours (we have one parking space, but it may become occupied).

    https://www.pottery-la.com/pottery-classes-la

    Reply

  38. You’ve written something that’s easy to understand and made the topic engaging for everyone. This is a fantastic blog you have here TechDevine.co.uk

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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