Social patterning of health and service utilization among Latinos: Findings from the Encuesta Buenos Vecinos

Background. Evidence from national and regional data suggests that Latino health declines by immigrant generation and socioeconomic position. However, few samples have sufficient diversity to allow researchers to investigate health and service utilization patterns among Latinos in the Midwest.  Drawing on data from a multi-modal, community based participatory survey of a diverse sample of Latinos in Washtenaw County, Michigan, we investigate the patterning of health and service utilization amongst Latinos and variations in these patterns.

Methods. The Encuesta Buenos Vecinos is a survey of 500+ Latinos in Washtenaw County, MI, age 18-88, surveyed from 2013-2014.  We consider variations within Latino populations (immigrant generation, language use, documentation status proxy measures, and socioeconomic position), and how these factors may be related to 1) the patterning of health (self-rated health; depressive symptoms and diagnosis; physical, emotional, or mental limitations, and substance use) and 2) service utilization (preventive care and emergency department visits; food stamp and WIC utilization). 

Results. Socio-demographic factors such as education, English fluency, gender, and concerns about documentation status affect physical and mental health patterns and service utilization within the Latino population in one non-urban Midwest County.

Conclusions. We discuss health and service utilization patterns among Latinos in Washtenaw County and consider implications for a sample that includes Latino immigrants, some of whom are not U.S citizens.  We discuss these findings in relation to the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which provides limited health care coverage for documented immigrants and does not extend coverage to undocumented immigrants.