Reaching Out to America's Immigrants: Community Health Advisors and Health Communication

PURPOSE: To describe clinical services and health communication needs for recent immigrants. METHODS: A review of relevant health behavior and policy research published in the past 20 years was conducted. RESULTS: Health coverage for primary care, prenatal and safety net services needs to be continued for all immigrants. Legislative bodies should repeal those aspects of welfare reform laws that diminish funding for health programs. English training provides efficient and effective access to health care and health communication. Finally, health communication messages mediated by community health advisors constitute an effective alternative to mainstream health communication. CONCLUSIONS: Societies whose populations consist primarily of immigrants need to be better prepared to promote the health of this group.