A recent study reveals alarming health disparities faced by undocumented Latinx immigrants in the United States, particularly concerning long COVID. The research, conducted across nine emergency departments between May and December 2023, sheds light on the unique challenges this vulnerable population encounters in accessing healthcare.
Comprising 7% of the U.S. population, undocumented Latinx immigrants face significant barriers to medical care. High uninsurance rates, limited access to primary care, language obstacles, and fears related to immigration status contribute to their healthcare struggles.
The study, published in JAMA Network Open, found that 57.1% of undocumented Latinx immigrants reported missing work or school due to long COVID symptoms, compared to 46.3% of non-Latinx legal residents and citizens (LRCs) and 35.7% of Latinx LRCs. Alarmingly, 60% of undocumented Latinx immigrants received no care for their long COVID symptoms.
Knowledge gaps further exacerbate the issue, with only 11.1% of undocumented Latinx immigrants understanding the condition of long COVID. This lack of awareness, combined with limited healthcare access, puts this community at a severe disadvantage in managing post-COVID complications.
The researchers emphasize the need for culturally relevant and translated resources in emergency departments to improve diagnosis and follow-up care for long COVID among undocumented immigrants. They also call for future investigations that prioritize the inclusion of undocumented people to enhance the applicability and generalizability of findings.
As the U.S. continues to grapple with the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing these disparities is crucial to ensure equitable healthcare for all residents, regardless of immigration status.
See “Data Show Undocumented Latinx People Face Disproportionate Burden of Long COVID” (October 17, 2024)
