Assessment 2: Mobilizing Care for an Immigrant Population
Name
Capella University
NURS-FPX6618
Instructor Name
July 2024
Mobilizing Care for an Immigrant Population
Ensuring access to healthcare services for the Mexican immigrant population in the United States is crucial due to their large numbers and specific healthcare needs. Representing around 24% of the U.S. immigrant population, Mexican immigrants frequently face obstacles such as restricted access to healthcare, lack of insurance, and language barriers, resulting in inferior health outcomes (Sawadogo et al., 2023). Addressing these needs not only promotes equity but also enhances overall public health. This assessment aims to identify and mitigate Mexican immigrants’ barriers in accessing healthcare, leveraging community strengths and collaborative efforts among organizations and stakeholders and evaluating key healthcare policies to promote a more inclusive and effective healthcare system.
Address the Healthcare Needs
The healthcare requirements of Mexican immigrants in the United States need considerable attention due to their substantial population size and the unique challenges they face (Crocker, 2021). It is essential to address their healthcare requirements to enhance overall public health outcomes. Mexican immigrants often encounter barriers such as limited access to healthcare services, lack of insurance, and language barriers, which contribute to poorer health outcomes compared to other populations (Carabello & Wolfson, 2021). Addressing these needs is not only a matter of equity but also vital for public health, as improving the health of this significant population can lead to better community health outcomes.
Selection Criteria for the Population
The selection of the Mexican immigrant population for this project is based on their significant demographic presence and the socio-economic challenges they face. This population was chosen after thorough research on the largest immigrant groups in the U.S. and an analysis of their socio-economic and health statuses. Mexican immigrants often have lower educational attainment and income levels, which are critical determinants of health. Moreover, Mexican immigrants’ historical and continued contributions to the U.S. economy and culture emphasize the need to prioritize their well-being. This project aims to pinpoint and address the obstacles they encounter in accessing healthcare to foster a more inclusive and efficient healthcare system.
Assessing the Healthcare Needs and Identifying Stakeholders
A comprehensive assessment of the healthcare needs of Mexican immigrants reveals several critical areas requiring intervention. Utilizing the SWOT analysis framework, it is evident that the weaknesses include limited access to healthcare due to a lack of insurance, language barriers, and stigma-related discrimination (Brener et al., 2024). Strengths within the community, such as strong family support systems, can be leveraged to improve health outcomes (Carabello & Wolfson, 2021). These support systems are vital in providing care and assistance, making family a critical asset in healthcare provision.
Opportunities exist in facilitating legal status and insurance coverage, greatly enhancing access to healthcare services. Additionally, increasing the availability of healthcare facilities that cater to undocumented immigrants can help mitigate some of the access issues. However, threats such as potential deportation and refusal of care by healthcare facilities pose significant challenges (Crocker, 2021). These threats need to be addressed through targeted policies and community support initiatives to ensure that Mexican immigrants can access healthcare services without fear of deportation or discrimination.
Key Organizations and Stakeholders
Effective care for the Mexican immigrant population involves collaboration among various organizations and stakeholders. These organizations work to provide health prevention and promotion services and improve access to healthcare. They are instrumental in developing programs and initiatives that cater to the specific needs of Mexican immigrants.
Key Stakeholders and Their Roles
Stakeholders such as healthcare professionals, policymakers, and interpreters play crucial roles in this collaborative effort. Healthcare professionals can enhance patient outcomes by understanding cultural nuances and creating individualized care strategies customized to address the specific needs of Mexican immigrants. Policymakers are instrumental in developing inclusive policies that ensure accessible care for all, regardless of immigration status (AlAchkar et al., 2023). These policies can help reduce barriers to healthcare and promote equity. Interpreters help overcome language barriers, facilitating better communication and service delivery. Their role is vital in ensuring that Mexican immigrants can effectively communicate with healthcare providers, leading to improved healthcare experiences and outcomes.
Characteristics That Define the Population
Effective care for the Mexican immigrant population necessitates collaboration among various organizations and stakeholders to address their unique needs and challenges. Important organizations in this field include the Mexican section of the U.S./Mexico Border Health Commission and the National Alliance for Hispanic Health. Both are committed to providing health prevention and promotion services and improving access to healthcare for this demographic. These organizations play a crucial role in developing initiatives aimed at addressing the specific health disparities faced by Mexican immigrants.
Stakeholders such as healthcare professionals, policymakers, and interpreters are also vital. Healthcare professionals must understand cultural nuances to create personalized care plans, while policymakers need to develop inclusive policies that ensure accessible care for all, including undocumented immigrants. Interpreters are critical in overcoming language barriers and facilitating effective communication between patients and providers. An insightful and comprehensive analysis of the environment reveals that provider capabilities must include cultural competence and the ability to address barriers such as stigma and legal concerns. This coordinated effort is essential to meet the special needs of the Mexican immigrant population and ensure they receive equitable and effective healthcare.
Characteristics Defining the Mexican Immigrant Population
The immigrant population from Mexico in the United States possesses several important characteristics crucial for developing ethical and legal policies. Predominantly young, with a median age of around 37 years, this population faces significant challenges due to limited English proficiency and lower educational attainment, with only 5% holding a degree and about 60% having education levels below high school (Sawadogo et al., 2023). Socially and culturally, Mexican immigrants strongly emphasize family unity and support, which is a vital strength in their community (Coumans & Wark, 2024).
However, they also encounter barriers such as stigma, discrimination, and restricted access to healthcare services due to the absence of insurance and the fear of deportation. The cultural characteristic of speaking Spanish and practicing Christianity, primarily Catholicism, further defines this group. Understanding these demographic, social, and cultural factors is essential for developing ethical and legislative measures that guarantee fair access to healthcare and support services for Mexican immigrants.
Interpretation of Current Organizational Policies for Immigrant Healthcare
The current regulations for delivering healthcare to immigrants and refugees in the United States. ACA strives to improve access to healthcare by making insurance more affordable. However, undocumented immigrants are not eligible for federal health coverage but can still buy private insurance. The EMTALA needs hospitals to give emergency medical care to everyone, irrespective of their immigration status or ability to pay, ensuring quick attention in critical situations (Coumans & Wark, 2024).
FQHCs offer essential healthcare services and prescription drugs to undocumented immigrants, further improving accessibility. These policies collectively seek to reduce healthcare disparities and promote fair care. Analyzing these policies in the current environment highlights the necessity for continuous policy evolution to address ongoing challenges such as fear of deportation and language barriers, ensuring that healthcare remains accessible and non-discriminatory for all immigrant populations (Filler et al., 2020).
Analysis of Assumptions and Biases in Immigrant Healthcare
Assumptions and biases significantly impact the access to healthcare and health outcomes. One common assumption is that Mexican immigrants are unwilling to integrate into the healthcare system, which is often rooted in a lack of understanding of the barriers they face, such as language difficulties and fear of deportation (González et al., 2023). Cultural factors, including strong family ties and fatalistic health beliefs, can influence health behaviors and decisions, sometimes leading to delayed healthcare seeking. The stigma and discrimination that Mexican immigrants encounter also exacerbate these barriers, making it more difficult for them to access necessary services.
Evaluating the legitimacy of these assumptions reveals that they often need a foundation in the immigrants’ experiences and challenges. Recognizing the influence of cultural and linguistic differences is crucial; these factors affect communication with healthcare providers, adherence to medical advice, and overall trust in the healthcare system (Ornelas et al., 2020). Addressing these biases through culturally competent care and inclusive policies can improve healthcare access and outcomes for Mexican immigrants, ensuring they receive the support and services they need without prejudice or fear.
Assessment of U.S. Healthcare Policies for Immigrant Communities
The Affordable Care Act aims to improve healthcare access by making insurance more affordable and expanding coverage options, although it excludes undocumented immigrants from federal health coverage (Sawadogo et al., 2023). This exclusion highlights a significant gap in ensuring equitable healthcare for all residents, necessitating alternative solutions such as community health centers and private insurance options to fill this void. EMTALA mandates that hospitals provide emergency medical treatment to anyone needing it, regardless of immigration status or financial ability. This act is crucial in guaranteeing immediate care in emergencies but needs to address the broader healthcare needs of undocumented immigrants for preventive and routine care.
A wise and impartial assessment of these policies reveals that while EMTALA ensures immediate life-saving care, it does not provide a comprehensive solution to the healthcare needs of immigrants. The ACA’s exclusion of undocumented immigrants from federal health programs exacerbates healthcare disparities, leaving many without access to necessary medical services (Sawadogo et al., 2023). For professional practice, these policies imply a need for healthcare providers to be aware of the legal obligations under EMTALA while advocating for more inclusive policies that address the long-term healthcare needs of all immigrant populations. This includes developing culturally competent care practices and supporting community health initiatives that can bridge the gaps left by current legislation, ultimately promoting a more equitable and effective healthcare system (Warby et al., 2024).
NURS FPX 6618 Assessment 2 Mobilizing Care for an Immigrant Population Conclusion
Meeting the healthcare requirements of Mexican immigrants in the United States necessitates an all-encompassing strategy that takes into account cultural differences, language obstacles, and systemic challenges. By leveraging community strengths and ensuring collaboration among key stakeholders and organizations, healthcare providers can improve access and outcomes for this vulnerable group. Evaluating policies like the Affordable Care Act and EMTALA highlights the gaps and opportunities for creating a more inclusive healthcare system. Through culturally competent care and supportive policies, we can work towards equitable healthcare for all immigrant populations, ensuring they receive the necessary services without fear or discrimination.
NURS FPX 6618 Assessment 2 Mobilizing Care for an Immigrant Population References
AlAchkar, M., Dahal, A., Frogner, K., Skillman, M., & Patterson, G. (2023). Integrating immigrant health professionals into the U.S. healthcare workforce: Barriers and solutions. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 25(6), 1270–1278. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-023-01472-7
Brener, S., Jiang, S., Hazenberg, E., & Herrera, D. (2024). A cyclical model of barriers to healthcare for the Hispanic/Latino population. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 11(2), 1077–1088. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-023-01587-5
Carabello, M., & Wolfson, J. A. (2021). Mexican immigrant health advantage in metabolic syndrome: Examining the contributions of demographic, socioeconomic, and health behavior characteristics. SSM – Population Health, 16, 100932. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100932
Coumans, J. V. F., & Wark, S. (2024). A scoping review on the barriers to and facilitators of health services utilization related to refugee settlement in regional or rural areas of the host country. BMC Public Health 24, 199 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-17694-9
Crocker, R. M. (2021). The impact of binational barriers to medical care on the care-seeking practices of Mexican immigrants. Qualitative Health Research, 31(6), 1043–1055. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732321992041
Filler, T., Jameel, B., & Gagliardi, A. R. (2020). Barriers and facilitators of patient-centered care for immigrant and refugee women: A scoping review. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 1013. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09159-6
González, I., Martínez, D. L., Ortiz, J., Rangel, M. G., Groot, M., & Fernández, A. (2023). Barriers and facilitators to mental health promotion for Mexican immigrants in the U.S. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1268253. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1268253
Ornelas, J., Yamanis, J., & Ruiz, A. (2020). The health of undocumented Latino immigrants: What we know and future directions. Annual Review of Public Health, 41, 289–308. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040119-094211
Sawadogo, M., Sia, D., Onadja, Y., Beogo, I., Sangli, G., Sawadogo, N., Gnambani, A., Bassinga, G., Robins, S., & Tchouaket, E. (2023). Barriers and facilitators of access to sexual and reproductive health services among migrant, internally displaced, asylum seeking and refugee women: A scoping review. PloS One, 18(9), e0291486. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0291486
Warby, R., Leslie W., & Borger J. (2024) EMTALA, and patient transfers. StatPearls Publishing https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557812/
