270824 Affordability Remains Key to Addressing Health Access Barriers among Insured Latinos

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Lisa Lapeyrouse, PhD , Hispanic Health Disparities Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX
Osvaldo Morera, PhD , Psychology, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX
Hector Balcazar, MS, PhD , El Paso, Regional Campus, UT Health Science Center-School of Public Health, EL Paso, TX
In a nationally representative sample of insured Americans, Kullgren et al. (2012) found that non-financial (vs. affordability) barriers were more prevalent reasons for unmet health care in the previous 12 months. To determine whether these patterns generalize to Latino border residents, we compare the prevalence of affordability, accessibility and acceptability barriers to health care among insured and uninsured Latinos. Using data from the 2009 Ecological Household Survey of Latino Residents in El Paso County, Texas (n = 550), we found that both insured and uninsured Latinos who seek health care in the U.S. face heightened affordability, accessibility, and acceptability barriers. In fact, 16.6% of insured and 19.9% of uninsured Latinos reported a $25 medical expense would be difficult to pay. Conclusion: Having health insurance is one step to reducing barriers to care. Affordability remains key to policy aimed at reducing gaps in care and promoting wellness among Latino populations.

Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Provision of health care to the public

Learning Objectives:
This presentation identifies financial and non-financial barriers to health care among insured Latinos living in the Texas-Mexico border region. By comparing barriers identified by a regional sample of Latinos to those identified by a nationally representative sample of insured Americans, this study highlights the economically vulnerable status of insured Latinos that contributes to delayed and unmet health care needs.

Keywords: Access to Health Care, Hispanic

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have experience working on multiple federally funded grants and have been published in peer-reviewed public health journals on the topics of Latino Health and health disparities.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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