Work

Nativity moderates the relationship between nationality and healthcare access for some Latinx women in the United States

Year: 2021

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Gender has been identified as a social determinant of health, particularly as it relates to healthcare access for women of color. Yet, few analyses focus on the unique barriers that impact Latinx women's access to healthcare, which demonstrates a significant gap in the literature given the heterogeneity of the Latinx population. The purpose of this study is to (1) describe how sociodemographic characteristics impact access to healthcare for Latinx women and (2) examine whether intersecting factors, particularly nativity and nationality, influence barriers to healthcare for Latinx women in the United States (US). DESIGN: = 27,162), cross-classified by nationality and nativity. Control variables included language, age, marital status, education, income, and insurance status. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess nativity and nationality as a predictor of any barriers to care. RESULTS: 37% of the sample experienced at least one barrier to care. Initially, nativity status was not a predictor of having a barrier to care. However, in adjusted models with cross-classified nativity and nationality variables, Mexican (US- and foreign-born), Cuban (US- and foreign-born) and Central/South American women (foreign-born only) had higher odds of having any barriers to care compared to continental US-born Puerto Rican women. CONCLUSIONS: Latinx women experience barriers to healthcare, yet the prevalence rates vary widely depending on nationality and nativity. It is important to recognize the heterogeneity that exists within the Latinx community and address the underlying causes for limited healthcare access such as immigration policy.

Source: Ethnicity and Health

DOI: 10.1080/13557858.2021.1976396

Authors: Liana Petruzzi, Shetal Vohra-Gupta, Carmen Valdez, Catherine Cubbin

Institution: The University of Texas at Austin

Language: English

Topic: Gender, Health, and Social Inequality

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Good health and well-being, Gender equality

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development