Expert Perspectives on Effective Community-Based Pediatric Healthcare for Low-Income Latino Families: Persistent Issues over Time

AbstractUS Latinos continue to experience significant health inequity, despite fluctuating healthcare policies over the past 20 years. Recent studies highlight the importance of comprehensive care and collaboration of stakeholders in reducing inequity. Few studies examine the perspectives of community-based organization leaders, health researchers, and policy experts regarding the most effective practices in the delivery of healthcare to Latino children and families. This unique study employed a mixed-methods cross-sectional design to compare perceptions of effective practices and action strategies among two groups. Analysis of qualitative data gathered from 17 organizational leaders and 28 research/policy experts resulted in four broad themes: (1) engagement of families as participants in their healthcare; (2) provision of comprehensive, family-focused healthcare services across the lifespan; (3) engagement of ethnically competent staff to provide outreach; and (4) development of community collaborations for resource building. Respondents identified three major barriers to the provision of high-quality care: (1) inequities in social determinants; (2) ongoing changes in insurance coverage; and (3) funding challenges for the support of community-based health centers (CHCs). Although the data were collected in 2001, these thematic findings remain relevant given the persistence of inequities and the lack of progress in mitigating inequity among Latino children and families, desp...
Source: Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research