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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Jennifer Kasper, MD, MPH, Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine, 91 E Concord St., MAT building Rooom 4122, Boston, MA 02118, 617-414-3827, jekasper@bmc.org
BACKGROUND: One in five children in the United States is an immigrant or lives in an immigrant family, the fastest growing segment of the child population. The poverty rate over the past 20 years has increased much more rapidly among Latino children. Regardless of whether one focuses on health care, housing, or food, children in immigrant families are experiencing greater hardship. The study of children in undocumented immigrant families is a critical, but neglected area of research and policy, especially as the immigrant population becomes more geographically diverse. To determine the prevalence of food insecurity and hunger, use of public assistance programs, and their effects on child health and well-being. STUDY DESIGN: Convenience sample of Latino immigrant families with at least one child under 18 years of age that access services at community-based organizations (CBOs) in the Boston area. CBOs have been involved in all aspects of the study, including selection criteria, questionnaire design. RESULTS: Study demonstrates that involving the community from study inception is critical to addressing needs of marginalized groups. As the immigrant population in the US continues to grow and become more geographically diverse, it is important that those who care for children understand the provisions of the human rights documents; how US policies regarding immigrants reflect or detract from these principles; and, as an illustrative case, how the human rights documents can be used as a template and catalyst for collective action on behalf of children in immigrant families.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Immigrants, Latino
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.