Persistent Effects of Legal Status on Healthcare Access and Outcomes: Findings from a State-Wide Representative Cross-Sectional Survey in California (BMJ Public Health)
Summary: This study examines how legal status and past undocumented status are associated with health care access and health outcomes. Data were collected between 2018 and 2020 as a follow-on, cross-sectional survey to the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). Researchers assess associations between past and current legal status and usual source of care, delayed medical care and psychological distress.
Findings: Overall, 26.2% of the sample had ever been undocumented. Compared with citizens who have always held lawful status (CLS), noncitizens who were previously undocumented and noncitizens who have always held lawful status (NLS) were less likely to have a usual source of care. Citizens who were previously undocumented were more likely to delay medical care compared with CLS. NLS were more likely to have moderate and above distress compared with CLS.
Public health efforts are needed to address the burden of trauma and disadvantage among those experiencing persistent effects of undocumented status.
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