For many migrant women, access to a health service In a country where they don't speak the language, it's a challenge full of uncertainty. I remember my first gynecological check-up in the United States: the anxiety of not understanding the instructions, the worry of using the wrong words or not understanding what the doctor was saying.
The lack of interpreters in hospitals and clinics, along with the shortage of doctors Spanish speakers reinforce this gap. But language is only part of the problem. Facing a health system completely different from that of your country of origin adds another layer of difficulty.
Migrant women must navigate a fragmented and costly care scheme, where the lack of health insurance This limits access to medical consultations and essential treatments. In addition, economic barriers and restrictive immigration policies further aggravate the exclusion of this sector of the population.
Access to health care for the migrant community is a global problem. According to the Organization of the United Nations (UN)There are 281 million migrants in the world, representing 3.5% of the world's population.
In the United States, in 2022 there were 21.2 million non-citizen immigrants, of which 40% were undocumented, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF).
In North Carolina, or 867,946 immigrants , which represents a 8.9% of the population . From them, 434,000 were born in Latin America , which is equivalent to 50% of the total number of immigrants .
The Latino population in the state has grown by 40% in the last decade and now represents 10.7% of the population . In addition, it is estimated that there are between 325,000 and 350,000 undocumented immigrants in the region, with thousands of women facing the same challenges in accessing health care.
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Barriers to access to health
1. The language barrier: when you can't explain what you feel
Language is one of the main obstacles for migrant women when receiving medical care. In the United States, around 8.3% of the population has limited English proficiency, according to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI)For many migrant women, this means not being able to describe their symptoms accurately, not understanding their doctor's instructions, or feeling embarrassed to ask for help.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), migrants may face greater difficulties in accessing health services due to a lack of interpreters and low cultural competence of medical providers.
And although hospitals in the United States can offer interpretation services, many patients end up relying on family members, including children, to translate complex medical terms.
Un Study published in HealthCare found that people with limited English proficiency are less likely to receive preventive care and at higher risk for medical complications due to a lack of effective communication.
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2. Cultural differences that affect medical care
Cultural differences also significantly influence migrant women's relationship with the U.S. health care system. Many come from countries where health care is less bureaucratic and where interactions with health care professionals differ markedly.
En latin communitiesThe concept of “enduring” pain without seeking medical help influences the postponement of consultations, which can lead to the worsening of health conditions.
According to Latino Behavioral Health CoalitionThis attitude is influenced by cultural values that emphasize resilience and personal strength, resulting in underutilization of health services, especially in the field of mental health.
3. The economic barrier: the lack of health insurance
The cost of health care is another critical barrier. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), nearly Half of undocumented immigrants in the United States do not have health insurance. They also cannot access programs such as Medicaid.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), irregular migrants are often excluded from national health programs and face high costs for health care. In addition, many migrant women are employed in informal jobs without access to health insurance provided by their employers, leaving them without affordable alternatives to receive health care.
In this regard, and as an example of the problem, a study by the University of California found that 30% of migrant women surveyed reported having avoided going to the doctor due to fear of medical bills.
Access to health care for migrant women in North Carolina
Disparities in access to health care remain marked in North Carolina. Although the 59% of women between 18 and 64 years old have health insurance, Hispanic women continue to be the group with the least coverage, which impacts their access to medical checkups and preventive care, according to the Report Card 2022 from the Center for Women's Health Research.
At the same time, the 13% of women in the state reported having avoided a medical consultation in the last year for economic reasons, a problem that disproportionately affects migrant communities.
In the case of undocumented migrant women, these structural barriers are compounded by fear for their immigration status, especially in the context of the new administration's anti-immigrant policies. The impact of these measures on the health and lives of migrant women remains to be seen.
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After the storm
A year ago, Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina. The Latino community responded with something stronger than the storm: solidarity.
🎧 In this episode, learn how Latino organizations transformed crisis into resilience.
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