American Journal of Public Health
Volume 104, Issue SUPPL. 1, 2014, Pages S28-S34

Impact of Arizona's SB 1070 immigration law on utilization of health care and public assistance among mexican-origin adolescent mothers and their mother figures (Article)

Toomey R.B.* , Umaña-Taylor A.J. , Williams D.R. , Harvey-Mendoza E. , Jahromi L.B. , Updegraff K.A.
  • a School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences, Kent State University, 406H White Hall, 150 Terrace Drive, Kent, OH 44242-0001, United States
  • b School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences, Kent State University, 406H White Hall, 150 Terrace Drive, Kent, OH 44242-0001, United States
  • c Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
  • d School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences, Kent State University, 406H White Hall, 150 Terrace Drive, Kent, OH 44242-0001, United States
  • e School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences, Kent State University, 406H White Hall, 150 Terrace Drive, Kent, OH 44242-0001, United States
  • f School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences, Kent State University, 406H White Hall, 150 Terrace Drive, Kent, OH 44242-0001, United States

Abstract

Objectives. We examined the impact of Arizona's "Supporting Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act" (SB 1070, enacted July 29, 2010) on the utilization of preventive health care and public assistance among Mexican-origin families. Methods. Data came from 142 adolescent mothers and 137 mother figures who participated in a quasi-experimental, ongoing longitudinal study of the health and development of Mexican-origin adolescent mothers and their infants (4 waves; March 2007-December 2011). We used general estimating equations to determine whether utilization of preventive health care and public assistance differed before versus after SB 1070's enactment. Results. Adolescents reported declines in use of public assistance and were less likely to take their baby to the doctor; compared with older adolescents, younger adolescents were less likely to use preventive health care after SB 1070. Mother figures were less likely to use public assistance after SB 1070 if they were born in the United States and if their post-SB 1070 interview was closer to the law's enactment. Conclusions. Findings suggest that immigration policies such as SB 1070 may contribute to decreases in use of preventive health care and public assistance among high-risk populations.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

longitudinal study Preventive Health Services Arizona human Longitudinal Studies statistics social care interview United States Humans Hispanic Adolescent Interviews as Topic preschool child female Infant preventive health service Child, Preschool pregnancy Pregnancy in Adolescence adolescent pregnancy Article migration legal aspect Utilization Review Emigration and Immigration Public Assistance Mexican Americans
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84893446970&doi=10.2105%2fAJPH.2013.301655&partnerID=40&md5=e22b39488d612babebb6f35d380f2629
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301655
ISSN: 00900036
Cited by: 62
Original Language: English