Crossing The Border For Health Care: Access And Primary Care Characteristics For Young Children Of Latino Farm Workers Along The US-Mexico Border
Author: Seid, Michael
Date Published: 2003
This article's objective was to examine the prevalence and correlates of cross-border health care for children of Latino farm workers in counties near the US-Mexico border and to compare access and primary care in the United States and Mexico. Two hundred ninety-seven parents at Head Start centers in San Diego and Imperial counties were surveyed regarding percentage of health care received in Mexico and the United States, access, and primary care characteristics. More than half of all health care was reported as received in Mexico. Reasons for Mexican use revolved around cost, accessibility, and perceptions of effectiveness. Children of farm workers living along the US-Mexico border, almost irrespective of insurance status, receive a large proportion of care in Mexico. Mexican health care might be a buffer against vulnerability to poor health outcomes for these children.