Citation
Hamilton, Erin R.; Hummer, Robert A.; You, Xiuhong H.; & Padilla, Yolanda C. (2006). Health Insurance and Health-Care Utilization of U.S.-Born Mexican-American Children. Social Science Quarterly, 87(5), 1280-1294.Abstract
Objectives: We document and model health insurance coverage and health-care utilization of very young, U.S.-born Mexican-American children relative to their non-Hispanic white and black counterparts.Methods: We use data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study and multivariate regression methods.
Results: Based on descriptive and multivariate analyses, the findings show that compared to non-Hispanic white children, Mexican-American children have lower rates of health insurance coverage and less health-care utilization. Mexican-American children born in the United States to foreign-born mothers utilize health care the least and are much more likely to be fully uninsured compared to other children.
Conclusion: The early health advantage of Mexican-origin children at birth runs the risk of being compromised by the time they reach age three as a result of poor access to healthcare. Greater health insurance coverage for Mexican-American children and, in particular, Mexican-American children of immigrants is needed.
URL
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6237.2006.00428.xReference Type
Journal ArticleYear Published
2006Journal Title
Social Science QuarterlyAuthor(s)
Hamilton, Erin R.Hummer, Robert A.
You, Xiuhong H.
Padilla, Yolanda C.