Health Care for Latino Children: Impact of Child and Parental Birthplace on Insurance Status and Access to Health Services

Latino children of immigrant parents are more likely to lack insurance and access to routine health care than are Latino children of US-born parents.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to assess the impact of child and parental birthplace on insurance status and access to health care among Latino children in the United States. METHODS: A cross-sectional, in-person survey of 376 random households with children aged 1 to 12 years was conducted in a predominantly Latino community. Children's insurance status and access to routine health care were compared among 3 child-parent groups: US born-US born (UU), US born-immigrant (UI), and immigrant-immigrant (II). RESULTS: Uninsured rates for the 3 groups of children were 10% (UU), 23% (UI), and 64% (II). Rates for lack of access to routine health care were 5% (UU), 12% (UI), and 32% (II). CONCLUSION: Latino children of immigrant parents are more likely to lack insurance and access to routine health care than are Latino children of US-born parents.