NURS FPX 6618 Assessment 2 Mobilizing Care for an Immigrant Population Assessment 2: Mobilizing Care for an Immigrant Population

July 2024

Mobilizing Care for an Immigrant Population

Ensuring access to healthcare services for the Mexican immigrant population in the United States is crucial due to their large numbers and specific healthcare needs. Representing around 24% of the U.S. immigrant population, Mexican immigrants frequently face obstacles such as restricted access to healthcare, lack of insurance, and language barriers, resulting in inferior health outcomes (Sawadogo et al., 2023). Addressing these needs not only promotes equity but also enhances overall public health. This assessment aims to identify and mitigate Mexican immigrants’ barriers in accessing healthcare, leveraging community strengths and collaborative efforts among organizations and stakeholders and evaluating key healthcare policies to promote a more inclusive and effective healthcare system.

Address the Healthcare Needs

The healthcare requirements of Mexican immigrants in the United States need considerable attention due to their substantial population size and the unique challenges they face (Crocker, 2021). It is essential to address their healthcare requirements to enhance overall public health outcomes. Mexican immigrants often encounter barriers such as limited access to healthcare services, lack of insurance, and language barriers, which contribute to poorer health outcomes compared to other populations (Carabello & Wolfson, 2021). Addressing these needs is not only a matter of equity but also vital for public health, as improving the health of this significant population can lead to better community health outcomes.

Selection Criteria for the Population

The selection of the Mexican immigrant population for this project is based on their significant demographic presence and the socio-economic challenges they face. This population was chosen after thorough research on the largest immigrant groups in the U.S. and an analysis of their socio-economic and health statuses. Mexican immigrants often have lower educational attainment and income levels, which are critical determinants of health. Moreover, Mexican immigrants’ historical and continued contributions to the U.S. economy and culture emphasize the need to prioritize their well-being. This project aims to pinpoint and address the obstacles they encounter in accessing healthcare to foster a more inclusive and efficient healthcare system.

Assessing the Healthcare Needs and Identifying Stakeholders

A comprehensive assessment of the healthcare needs of Mexican immigrants reveals several critical areas requiring intervention. Utilizing the SWOT analysis framework, it is evident that the weaknesses include limited access to healthcare due to a lack of insurance, language barriers, and stigma-related discrimination (Brener et al., 2024). Strengths within the community, such as strong family support systems, can be leveraged to improve health outcomes (Carabello & Wolfson, 2021). These support systems are vital in providing care and assistance, making family a critical asset in healthcare provision.

Opportunities exist in facilitating legal status and insurance coverage, greatly enhancing access to healthcare services. Additionally, increasing the availability of healthcare facilities that cater to undocumented immigrants can help mitigate some of the access issues. However, threats such as potential deportation and refusal of care by healthcare facilities pose significant challenges (Crocker, 2021). These threats need to be addressed through targeted policies and community support initiatives to ensure that Mexican immigrants can access healthcare services without fear of deportation or discrimination.

Key Organizations and Stakeholders

Effective care for the Mexican immigrant population involves collaboration among various organizations and stakeholders. These organizations work to provide health prevention and promotion services and improve access to healthcare. They are instrumental in developing programs and initiatives that cater to the specific needs of Mexican immigrants.

Key Stakeholders and Their Roles

Stakeholders such as healthcare professionals, policymakers, and interpreters play crucial roles in this collaborative effort. Healthcare professionals can enhance patient outcomes by understanding cultural nuances and creating individualized care strategies customized to address the specific needs of Mexican immigrants. Policymakers are instrumental in developing inclusive policies that ensure accessible care for all, regardless of immigration status (AlAchkar et al., 2023). These policies can help reduce barriers to healthcare and promote equity. Interpreters help overcome language barriers, facilitating better communication and service delivery. Their role is vital in ensuring that Mexican immigrants can effectively communicate with healthcare providers, leading to improved healthcare experiences and outcomes.

Characteristics That Define the Population

Effective care for the Mexican immigrant population necessitates collaboration among various organizations and stakeholders to address their unique needs and challenges. Important organizations in this field include the Mexican section of the U.S./Mexico Border Health Commission and the National Alliance for Hispanic Health. Both are committed to providing health prevention and promotion services and improving access to healthcare for this demographic. These organizations play a crucial role in developing initiatives aimed at addressing the specific health disparities faced by Mexican immigrants.

Stakeholders such as healthcare professionals, policymakers, and interpreters are also vital. Healthcare professionals must understand cultural nuances to create personalized care plans, while policymakers need to develop inclusive policies that ensure accessible care for all, including undocumented immigrants. Interpreters are critical in overcoming language barriers and facilitating effective communication between patients and providers. An insightful and comprehensive analysis of the environment reveals that provider capabilities must include cultural competence and the ability to address barriers such as stigma and legal concerns. This coordinated effort is essential to meet the special needs of the Mexican immigrant population and ensure they receive equitable and effective healthcare.

Characteristics Defining the Mexican Immigrant Population

The immigrant population from Mexico in the United States possesses several important characteristics crucial for developing ethical and legal policies. Predominantly young, with a median age of around 37 years, this population faces significant challenges due to limited English proficiency and lower educational attainment, with only 5% holding a degree and about 60% having education levels below high school (Sawadogo et al., 2023). Socially and culturally, Mexican immigrants strongly emphasize family unity and support, which is a vital strength in their community (Coumans & Wark, 2024).

However, they also encounter barriers such as stigma, discrimination, and restricted access to healthcare services due to the absence of insurance and the fear of deportation. The cultural characteristic of speaking Spanish and practicing Christianity, primarily Catholicism, further defines this group. Understanding these demographic, social, and cultural factors is essential for developing ethical and legislative measures that guarantee fair access to healthcare and support services for Mexican immigrants.