Migration and Health: Young Mexican Immigrants in the U.S.
Based on data from the U.S. Current Population Survey, the American Community Survey, and the U.S. National Health Interview Survey, and this report was released at the 2012 Binational Health Week Policy Forum in Oaxaca, Mexico (October 1) as the latest in a series of reports on the health status and access to health care of Mexican migrants in the United States. The report focuses on the over 3 million young Mexican migrants ages 12-29 in the United States. Young Mexican immigrants in the US are found to have a good health status overall, but 65% of them lack health insurance and over 50% do not have a regular source of care and so are likely to delay seeking needed health services. The report also highlights the implications of the social determinants of health. For example, young Mexican immigrants have substantially fewer year of education than their U.S.-born peers, many have limited English proficiency, and they are more likely to live in low-income families. Implications for the Affordable Care Act and immigration policy are discussed.
Publication Authors:
- Telésforo Ramírez García
- Xochitl Castaneda
- Steven P. Wallace, PhD
- et al