Organizational and financial factors have a direct impact on the health status of a population. The immigrant population, many of whom are members of minority groups, is more likely to be uninsured or underinsured than the nonimmigrant population. Immigrants are more likely to suffer from conditions, in some cases enhanced by the immigration experience itself, that have not been researched in minority populations. They have limited access to health care services and technology, so that even if a treatment or cure is available, it may not be of benefit to them. Language and cultural differences may act as a barrier to their receiving health education information, proper instructions from their health care provider, or communications that are sensitive and responsive to different value systems. The research seems to indicate that providing care in private offices is superior to providing care in hospitals and that nonpublic settings are superior to public settings. An uninsured or underinsured immigrant population is most likely to be served by a large public hospital with less continuity of care or a usual source of care.

[No Keywords available]

urban population immigrant Review health care availability health care financing health care delivery health care access