title: The health status of latino immigrant women in the United States and future health policy implications of the affordable care act.
abstract: Immigrant women of Mexican birth face unique health challenges in the United States. They are at increased risk for developing many preventable health conditions due in part to limited access to healthcare and benefits, legal status, and inadequate income. Increased vulnerability of women has established a growing need to focus on their healthcare needs because of their role, position, and influence in the family. The purpose of this article is to review factors that impact the health status of Mexican-born women living in the United States and review policy implications of the Affordable Care Act for this population. Mexican-born women are the largest female immigrant group in the United States. Therefore, they comprise the group that will need health coverage in the greatest proportion. As a result, there will be a need for culturally and linguistically appropriate healthcare services and culturally sensitive providers.
authors.affiliation: Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California, United States.
authors.forename: Mary Lou
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: de Leon Siantz
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Health Initiative of the Americas, University of California, Berkeley, United States.
authors.forename: Xochitl
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Castaneda
authors.affiliation: William F. Connell School of Nursing, Boston College, Massachusetts, United States.
authors.forename: Viola
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Benavente
authors.affiliation: Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California, United States.
authors.forename: Tasha
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Peart
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Health Initiative of the Americas, University of California, Berkeley, United States.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Felt
keywords: Affordable Care Act; Latino; immigrant; women's health