Immigrants have been identified as a vulnerable population, but there is heterogeneity in the degree to which they are vulnerable to inadequate health care. Here we examine the factors that affect immigrants' vulnerability, including socioeconomic background; immigration status; limited English proficiency; federal, state, and local policies on access to publicly funded health care; residential location; and stigma and marginalization. We find that, overall, immigrants have lower rates of health insurance, use less health care, and receive lower quality of care than U.S.-born populations; however, there are differences among subgroups. We conclude with policy options for addressing immigrants' vulnerabilities. ©2007 Project HOPE-The People-to-People Health Foundation, Inc.

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Vulnerable Populations vulnerable population medically uninsured health care policy demography insurance poverty Health Status Disparities human social isolation Insurance Coverage statistics health status family health ethnology Residence Characteristics United States Humans classification Emigrants and Immigrants Review migration Health Policy patient Healthcare Disparities Health Services Accessibility health care delivery