Undocumented Mexican Immigrant Health Care Access in the Southeastern United States: A Quantitative Study of Service Use, Experience, and Affordability Public

Abstract

Currently, there is limited literature available delineating the scope of health care access of undocumented Mexican immigrants in the Southeastern United States. Undocumented immigrant populations are challenging to study because they often are hesitant to share their legal status for fear of stigma, discrimination, or being exposed to immigration authorities, a legitimate concern for those living in states with anti-immigrant legislation. This study aims to look at the health access of undocumented Mexican immigrants who sought consular services at the Consulate General of Mexico in Atlanta from June-July 2018. Surveys were conducted via opportunity sampling in the Consulate General waiting area as participants were waiting to receive consular paperwork, 149 self-reported undocumented immigrants and 54 documented immigrants were surveyed. Over 90 percent of undocumented immigrants reported not having health insurance coverage, nearly double that of immigrants with legal authorization. Undocumented immigrants also reported going longer periods of time without seeing a medical or health professional and nearly half reported that the cost of medical services had a “high” or “very high” impact on their financial situation.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................. 8

REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE....................................................................................................... 12

UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT DEMOGRAPHICS........................................................................ 12

BARRIERS TO HEALTH ACCESS AND SERVICES............................................................................ 16

HEALTH ACCESS............................................................................................................................. 22

CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................. 25

METHODS....................................................................................................................................... 27

RESULTS......................................................................................................................................... 30

DISCUSSION................................................................................................................................... 46

CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................. 52

PUBLIC HEALTH IMPLICATIONS....................................................................................................53

REFERENCES.................................................................................................................................. 55

APPENDIX...................................................................................................................................... 58

About this Master's Thesis

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School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Hubert Department of Global Health
Degree	M.P.H.
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health
Mot-clé	healthcare quality healthcare health affordability health services health survey health insurance Alabama undocumented immigrants Mexican immigrants anti-immigration laws Southeastern United States Georgia health access Tennessee healthcare experience
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Andes, Karen L, Emory University
Committee Members	McFarland, Deborah, Emory University
Partnering Agencies	International governmental organization (e.g., Agency for International Development, etc.)

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