Mexican and Central American Immigrants in the United States: Health Care Access

This report focuses on the population of Mexican ancestry in the United States and in California, with an emphasis on immigrants. Beginning with the numbers, trends, and sociodemographic characteristics of this population, it goes on to depict their geographic dispersion across the U.S., the economic and social importance of remittances sent back to Mexico, their social conditions, and their medical insurance coverage. It also includes a brief description of the Central American immigrant population and their situation regarding access to health services. It concludes with some final remarks about the main characteristics of Mexican and Central America immigrants, to be considered in any new strategies designed to increase their access to health insurance. This report is a collaborative effort of the California-Mexico Health Initiative of the California Policy Research Center, University Office of the President and the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. It was published by the Regents of the University of California and The Mexican Secretariat of Health (SSA).

Publication Authors:

• Elena Zuniga
• Xochitl Castaneda
• Al Averbach
• Steven P. Wallace, PhD