Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #112150

H. Giovanni Antunez, MD, MPH, DrPH, Tulane Hispanic Health Initiative, Tulane Center for Clinical Effectiveness, Tulane University, 1430 Tulane Ave TW - 38, New Orleans, LA 70112, 504-988-6041, hantune@tulane.edu and William C. Steinmann, MD, MSc, Center for Clinical Effectiveness and Prevention (TCCEP), Tulane University Health Sciences Center, 1430 Tulane Avenue, TW38, New Orleans, LA 70112.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND: Latinos in Louisiana are concentrating in the urban New Orleans and are mainly of Central American descent. This study explored the types of access barriers and use of the local health care system experienced by this group of Latinos.METHODS: Study participants were recruited through local Latino churches according to a set of criteria: Central American origin; Income: Lower (< or = $ 17,601/year), or Medium (< or = $ 24,100/year); Gender: Female or Male; Age (years): < 35 or > 36; and Health Insurance: Yes or No. They were asked to participate in a series of focus group discussions that constituted the data collection method. A total of eight focus groups were completed, with 68 people participating. Each focus group session was considered a case, and data were analyzed following a cross-case study format. Results were organized using the Andersen model of access to care, using the following categories: the “health care system”, “characteristics of the population”, and “utilization of health services”. RESULTS: The majority of participants were women (> 36 years-old). Honduras was the most common country of origin, followed in order of frequency by Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador and Costa Rica. No people from Belize or Panama participated in the study. The major barrier related to the “health care system” was the “lack of communication with health care providers” due to language barriers or the inability of Latino patients to speak English, which was also considered a “characteristic of the population”. Being an undocumented immigrant, or lacking valid identification (ID) or a Social Security number (SSN) to access the system or to apply for, and obtain, public insurance coverage was another significant barrier, which also limited “utilization of services”. CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS: In order to overcome the barriers faced by Latinos in New Orleans, the local health care system must provide interpreters' services during medical consultations with Latino clients who have limited, or no, English proficiency. Community advocacy is necessary to find solutions to the problems faced by undocumented Latinos who are in need of medical services, but who do not receive them because they are undocumented. The creation of clinics with sliding-scale charges for services, or the use of temporary identification cards to access the health care system may represent additional solutions.

Learning Objectives: • At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able

•
• To have an overview of the health access barriers to care experienced by Latinos in New Orleans, Louisiana. •
• To identify the types of access barriers to health to care as perceived by Central American Latinos in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Keywords: Access to Health Care, Latinos

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.