Overcoming barriers to improving the health of immigrant women

Abstract

Approximately half a million women migrate to the United States annually; more than two-thirds of them of childbearing age. Early entry into the health care system may be the most effective way to ensure positive health at lower costs and to enable ever-shrinking health care resources to be used most effectively. Immigrant women, however, face economic, legal, linguistic, and cultural barriers to health care. Successful programs have been developed to systematically address immigrant women's health care issues, targeting preventive health services and education to diverse communities.