,,,Immigration, Health & Work: The Facts Behind the Myths

Immigration, Health & Work: The Facts Behind the Myths


 

Publication Date: October 2007

Publisher: UCLA Center for Health Policy Research

Author(s): Steven P. Wallace; Steven P. Wallace; Sylvia Guendelman; D. Imelda Padilla-Frausto

Research Area: Health

Keywords: immigration; employment; health insurance

Type: Report

Coverage: California

Abstract:

A collaboration of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, the UC Berkeley School of Public Health and the Health Initiative of the Americas, this report explores the health care challenges faced by Latin American immigrants, and Mexican immigrants in particular. The report dispels the common misperception that these immigrants come to the United States primarily to seek health services.


Key findings from the report include:
Latino immigrants come to the United States to work
The U.S. relies on Mexican immigrant workers in agriculture, construction and service jobs
These jobs pay very low wages and rarely offer health insurance
These jobs have higher levels of occupational health risk