Access to Health Care Among Latinos of Mexican Descent in Colonias in Two Texas Counties

Abstract

CONTEXT: Critical to resolving the problem of health disparities among Latinos is examining the needs within ethnic subpopulations. This paper focused on the unique challenges encountered by one ethnic subpopulation-Latinos of Mexican descent living in colonias. Findings reaffirm the importance of looking within ethnic subpopulations to understand the complexities of health disparities. PURPOSE: This paper reports on data collected measuring access to health care among Latinos of Mexican descent living in several colonias in two southern Texas counties. METHOD: Observations are based on data gathered from a non-probability sample obtained through a face to face questionnaire focusing on health care access. Persons living in two Texas counties near the US border were included in this sample, and demographic data were compared to county, state and national statistics to examine the comparability of the sample to similar populations. FINDINGS: Findings from this snowball sample, N=271, suggested lower rates of health insurance coverage compared to the Latino population nationwide, decreased patterns of preventive screenings for blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, cancers (ie, breast, cervical, and prostate), and regular access to health care in Mexico by slightly more than half the sample. CONCLUSIONS: Seeking care in Mexico may be a viable solution for many indigent people of Mexican descent living in close geographic proximity to the border because it surmounts the political, cultural, linguistic, or economic barriers to health care services in the United States. Nonetheless, there are longer term questions regarding quality of care and health and wellness for this group of people.

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