American Journal of Public Health
Volume 102, Issue 7, 2012, Pages 1250-1254

A call for further research on the impact of state-level immigration policies on public health (Review)

Hardy L.J.* , Getrich C.M. , Quezada J.C. , Guay A. , Michalowski R.J. , Henley E.
  • a Dept of Anthropology, Interdisciplinary Health Policy Institute, Northern Arizona University, PO Box 15200, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, United States
  • b University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States
  • c North Country HealthCare, Flagstaff, AZ, United States
  • d North Country HealthCare, Flagstaff, AZ, United States
  • e Dept of Anthropology, Interdisciplinary Health Policy Institute, Northern Arizona University, PO Box 15200, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, United States
  • f North Country HealthCare, Flagstaff, AZ, United States

Abstract

Arizona's Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act, signed into law in April 2010, is already adversely affecting public health in the state. Our findings from a study on childhood obesity in Flagstaff suggest that the law changed health-seeking behaviors of residents of a predominantly Latino neighborhood by increasing fear, limiting residents' mobility, and diminishing trust of officials. These changes could exacerbate barriers to healthy living, limit access to care, and affect the overall safety of the neighborhood. Documentation of the on-theground impact of Arizona's law and similar state-level immigration policies is urgently needed. To inform effective policymaking, such research must be community engaged and include safety measures beyond the usual protocols. (AmJPublic Health.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Biomedical Research medical research government human patient attitude policy Emigration and Immigration State Government Patient Acceptance of Health Care public policy Article United States public health Arizona Humans migration legal aspect
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84862903096&doi=10.2105%2fAJPH.2011.300541&partnerID=40&md5=5ff0a93408b3a85099274e330672f323
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2011.300541
ISSN: 00900036
Cited by: 62
Original Language: English