Insurance status is a greater barrier than income or acculturation to chronic disease screening in the Mexican origin population in El Paso, Texas

Jennifer J. Salinas, Hendrik D. de Heer, Lisa M. Lapeyrouse, Josiah M. Heyman, Hector Guillermo Balcázar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the association between income, insurance status, acculturation, and preventive screening for diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol in Mexican American adults living in El Paso, Texas. This is a secondary data analysis using data from El Paso, Texas, that was collected between November 2007 and May 2009. Bivariate and stepwise regression analysis was used to determine the relationships between income, insurance, and acculturation factors on preventive screenings. Findings indicate that insurance status was associated with blood pressure check, blood sugar check, cholesterol screening, and any preventive screening. The association for income $40,0001 was explained by insurance. The only significant acculturation variable was language use for cholesterol. Disparities in preventive health screening in Mexican Americans were associated with primary insurance coverage in El Paso, Texas. With the border region being among the most medically underserved and underinsured areas in the United States, the results from this study suggest policy efforts are essential to ensure equal access to resources to maintain good health. Intervention efforts may include increasing awareness of enrollment information for insurance programs through the Affordable Care Act.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)197-208
Number of pages12
JournalHispanic Health Care International
Volume13
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015

Keywords

  • Acculturation
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Income
  • Insurance status
  • Mexican Americans

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Nursing

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