Predictors of Access to Health Services for Latino Day Laborers

Background: Latino day laborers are one of the most vulnerable and understudied populations in the United States. They have one of the highest rates of labor participation in the nation but are largely uninsured. Methods: This study utilizes a conceptual framework of access to health services for vulnerable populations and data from the National Day Labor Survey. This is a random sample (N=2660) of structured in-depth interviews conducted face to face with day laborers in 2004. The analysis consists of multivariate logistic regression stratified by immigration and health insurance status. Results: The analysis indicates that Latino day laborers are predominantly male (98%), young (mean=35 years), undocumented (85%), uninsured (93%) and have low levels of formal education (mean=5 years). Latino day laborers who report being in the US longer than ten years, having a greater ability to speak English and having overall good health status are more likely to report having access to a medical facility when they need care. These results indicate that Latino day laborers that have the greatest health need and face greater linguistic barriers are more likely to experience severe barriers to access to health services. In spite of these barriers, Latino day laborers surprisingly report an overall positive health status. These findings suggest that the Latino Epidemiological Paradox may apply to this population. Policy implications: This study will inform health policy regarding day laborers' health status and needs to access health services and will present recommendations to improve their limited access.