Documented and undocumented immigrant men's potential access to health care

In 2008, 11.9 million unauthorized immigrants were living in the U.S., representing 4% of the population; about evenly divided between males and females. Unauthorized immigrants inflow fell from 800,000 to 500,000/year from 2005 to 2008. By contrast, the inflow of legal permanent residents has been relatively steady this decade. Mexico remains the birth country of most unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. Immigrant status is associated with reduced access to health care, especially for the undocumented due to their vulnerable situation, which is aggravated by language barriers and legal issues. The study analyzed indicators of potential access to health care of documented and undocumented Mexican immigrant males. Predisposing, enabling, and need characteristics were used as predictors of access and utilization. A total of 122 Mexican immigrant males participated in the study; over one half undocumented. Undocumented respondent's potential access to health care was lower, and despite relatively high rates of employment, most men reported incomes below the poverty level. Extremely low income, ack of health insurance and regular source of care, and negligible rates of health check-ups, indicate that the majority of immigrants in this study face insurmountable barriers to obtaining health care. In Texas, this situation is aggravated by legal restrictions of health care for undocumented uninsured immigrants and the prospect of reporting them to law enforcement authorities. Policies that ensure open access to health and social services and coordination of health care services across borders are essential to protect the health of this vulnerable male population.