Description

Today, there are approximately 45,000 Latin American immigrants living in Washington, D.C. The largest number of these immigrants come from Central America as illegal immigrants who are monolingual in Spanish, uneducated and economically disadvantaged. While their citizenship status, education and economic levels affect their experiences with the United States health care system, cultural factors also play a significant role. This article examines how Latino immigrants in Washington, D.C. experience and navigate the U.S. health care system.

Personal experiences with the health care system in Washington, D.C. illuminate the common themes of displacement; family separation; lack of access to health care or perceived lack of access to health care; and cultural, social and economic barriers to health care for the underserved Latino population. Insights from local Latinoserving health care providers detail the challenges that providers face in serving this population. The article concludes with suggestions about what providers and community members can do to improve health experiences and outcomes for Latino immigrants. Copyright © 2008 Anthropology & Heath Journal & Syllaba Press. All rights reserved.