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Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health

Published in:

01-06-2015 | Original Paper

Evaluating the Impact of Immigration Policies on Health Status Among Undocumented Immigrants: A Systematic Review

Authors: Omar Martinez, Elwin Wu, Theo Sandfort, Brian Dodge, Alex Carballo-Dieguez, Rogeiro Pinto, Scott Rhodes, Eva Moya, Silvia Chavez-Baray

Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health | Issue 3/2015

Abstract

Over the past two decades, new anti-immigration policies and laws have emerged to address the migration of undocumented immigrants. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to assess and understand how these immigration policies and laws may affect both access to health services and health outcomes among undocumented immigrants. Eight databases were used to conduct this review, which returned 325 papers that were assessed for validity based on specified inclusion criteria. Forty critically appraised articles were selected for analysis; thirty articles related to access to health services, and ten related to health outcomes. The articles showed a direct relationship between anti-immigration policies and their effects on access to health services. In addition, as a result of these policies, undocumented immigrants were impacted by mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Action items were presented, including the promotion of cultural diversity training and the development of innovative strategies to support safety-net health care facilities serving vulnerable populations.

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Title: Evaluating the Impact of Immigration Policies on Health Status Among Undocumented Immigrants: A Systematic Review
Authors: Omar Martinez
Elwin Wu
Theo Sandfort
Brian Dodge
Alex Carballo-Dieguez
Rogeiro Pinto
Scott Rhodes
Eva Moya
Silvia Chavez-Baray
Publication date: 01-06-2015
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health / Issue 3/2015
Print ISSN: 1557-1912
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1920
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-013-9968-4

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Evaluating the Impact of Immigration Policies on Health Status Among Undocumented Immigrants: A Systematic Review

Abstract

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