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

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.