Journal article
Measuring county-level immigration policy contexts that may influence Latino health in California
SSM - population health, v 30, 101790
01 Jun 2025
PMID: 40230728
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Studies have examined the impact of federal and state immigration policies on Latino immigrant health. Few studies have investigated the effects of local policies that shape access to services, resources, and opportunities among Latino and immigrant populations. This article presents a framework and measures to describe county-level immigration policy contexts. We developed multisectoral indicators of immigration policy contexts by linking policies and social conditions of inequity to immigration policy through mechanisms of structural racism. Using the indicators, we constructed measures of county-level immigration policy contexts in California. Two indices measured the extent of local 1) inclusive policymaking and 2) social inequity that is reinforced by immigration policy. We categorized counties into four typologies of local immigration policy contexts using the index scores. We used maps and Poisson regression analyses to examine geographic and demographic variations in the scores and typologies. We found that counties in metropolitan regions had the highest inclusive policymaking scores. Rural or agricultural counties had the highest social inequity scores. Inclusive policymaking and social inequity did not always align; some counties with many inclusive policies also had high social inequity. The counties represented in each typology of local immigration policy contexts shared unique geographic characteristics. Ultimately, our findings show that local immigration policy contexts are the product of two distinct mechanisms, and they vary across California, an inclusive state. Researchers must consider local contexts when investigating the social determinants of Latino health. State policymakers should address local conditions of inequity that are reinforced by immigration policy.
•We use a structural racism framework to develop new measures of local immigration policy contexts.•Our local-level indicators of immigration policy contexts are multi-sectoral.•Findings confirm immigration policy contexts vary locally within states, such as California.•Social inequities reinforced by immigration policy persist in counties with inclusive policies.•Local immigration policy contexts may be shaping health inequities within Latinx populations.
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Details
- Title
- Measuring county-level immigration policy contexts that may influence Latino health in California
- Creators
- Fabiola M. Perez-Lua - University of California, MercedGabriela E. Lazalde - University of California, Los AngelesCorbin Farias - University of California, MercedClara B. Barajas - Drexel UniversityJessie Kemmick Pintor - Drexel UniversityNinez A. Ponce - UCLA HealthAlexander N. Ortega - University of Hawaiʻi at MānoaMaria-Elena De Trinidad Young (Corresponding Author) - University of California, Merced
- Publication Details
- SSM - population health, v 30, 101790
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Health Management and Policy
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001461507200001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105000909001
- Other Identifier
- 991022197323504721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health