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ERIC Number: EJ693627
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2004
Pages: 7
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0890-765X
EISSN: N/A
A Program to Improve Access to Health Care Among Mexican Immigrants in Rural Colorado
Diaz-Perez, Maria de Jesus; Farley, Tillman; Cabanis, Clara Martin
Journal of Rural Health, v20 n3 p258-264 Sum 2004
Migration to the United States from Mexico is increasing every year. Mexican immigrants tend to be poor, uninsured, monolingual Spanish speakers without adequate access to appropriate medical care. As a further barrier, many are also undocumented. This article describes a program developed to improve access to health care among Mexican immigrants in northern Colorado. The program was implemented by a migrant/community health center in rural northern Colorado based on findings from an in-depth health needs survey of the target population. The program consists of community outreach services vertically integrated into the main medical clinics, which comprise Salud Family Health Centers. A mobile unit went to nontraditional areas identified by community workers as gathering places for Mexican immigrants. Services provided included preventive health care (screening for diabetes, hypertension, mental health problems, dental problems, and HIV); education; and primary care for acute problems. Patients were referred to a health care home for ongoing care. In the first 6 months, 1,553 Mexican immigrants were seen on the mobile unit. Hypertension and psychosocial problems were the most common problems in this population. Thirty-five percent of patients who received consultation in the mobile unit have visited any of the clinics for follow-up within the following year. A community-based mobile outreach program targeted toward Mexican immigrants can be effective in uncovering medical and mental illness and in directing patients to a health care home. This is an important first step in eliminating health disparities among this population.
National Rural Health Association, One West Armour Boulevard, Suite 203, Kansas City, MI 64111-2087. Tel: 816-756-3140; Fax: 816-756-3144.
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Colorado; Mexico; United States
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A