A program to improve access to health care among Mexican immigrants in rural Colorado.
BACKGROUND
Migration to the United States from Mexico is increasing every year. Mexican immigrants tend to be poor, uninsured, monolingual Spanish speakers without adequate access to appropriate medical care. As a further barrier, many are also undocumented.


OBJECTIVE
This article describes a program developed to improve access to health care among Mexican immigrants in northern Colorado.


METHODS
The program was implemented by a migrant/community health center in rural northern Colorado based on findings from an in-depth health needs survey of the target population. The program consists of community outreach services vertically integrated into the main medical clinics, which comprise Salud Family Health Centers. A mobile unit went to nontraditional areas identified by community workers as gathering places for Mexican immigrants. Services provided included preventive health care (screening for diabetes, hypertension, mental health problems, dental problems, and HIV); education; and primary care for acute problems. Patients were referred to a health care home for ongoing care.


RESULTS
In the first 6 months, 1,553 Mexican immigrants were seen on the mobile unit. Hypertension and psychosocial problems were the most common problems in this population. Thirty-five percent of patients who received consultation in the mobile unit have visited any of the clinics for follow-up within the following year.


CONCLUSIONS
A community-based mobile outreach program targeted toward Mexican immigrants can be effective in uncovering medical and mental illness and in directing patients to a health care home. This is an important first step in eliminating health disparities among this population.
Diaz-Perez
Maria de Jesus
Mde J
Salud Family Health Centers, Fort Lupton, CO 80621, USA. mdejesus@saludclinic.org
Farley
Tillman
T
Cabanis
Clara Martin
CM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003120:Colorado; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D008952:Mobile Health Units / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data