Emergency Room Use by Undocumented Mexican Immigrants

Authors

Ayse Akincigil, Rutgers University
Raymond Sanchez Mayers, Rutgers University
Fontaine H. Fulghum, Rutgers University

Keywords

Emergency room use, undocumented immigrants, Mexicans, health care services

Abstract

This study examined emergency room use by undocumented Mexican immigrants and their sources of health care information. Thirty-eight percent of the respondents reported that they would use a hospital emergency room (ER) for primary medical care. ER use rates declined with time spent in the United States. Emergency room use rates varied significantly by region. Respondents receiving information from a church reported less ER use, compared to all others; respondents receiving information from U.S. newspapers reported higher ER use rates. Lack of health care access for undocumented immigrants remains a public health issue as well as a social justice concern.

Recommended Citation

Akincigil, Ayse; Mayers, Raymond Sanchez; and Fulghum, Fontaine H. (2011) "Emergency Room Use by Undocumented Mexican Immigrants," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 38: Iss. 4, Article 3.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.3630
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol38/iss4/3