Sept. 18 (UPI) — A groundbreaking study suggests that former President Donald Trump’s strong stance against immigration had a significant impact on the number of healthcare visits for children of immigrant mothers, leading to a decline in preventive care services.
A team of researchers from Boston University School of Public Health conducted an extensive investigation, revealing a remarkable 5% decrease in well-child visits specifically among the children of immigrant mothers, in contrast to children born to U.S. mothers.
The study, recently published in the renowned journal Health Affairs Scholar, focuses on the phenomenon known as the “chilling effect” caused by immigration-related fears.
Dr. Stephanie Ettinger de Cuba, a research associate professor of health law, policy & management and pediatrics at BUSPH, emphasized the worrisome consequences of missing well-child visits, as they involve crucial health checks, referrals, support, and connections to additional resources that are essential for a child’s development and overall well-being.
The research analyzed electronic health records and healthcare surveys, studying nearly 11,000 children with immigrant and U.S. mothers in three major cities – Boston, Minneapolis, and Little Rock, Arkansas – during the period from 2015 to 2018, overlapping with Trump’s presidential campaign and early presidency.
Notably, the study period coincided with the implementation of strict asylum restrictions at the U.S.-Mexico border, increased interior immigration enforcement, and travel bans targeting Muslim-majority countries.
Dr. Ettinger de Cuba noted, “Our findings indicate that Trump’s rhetoric and election already influenced parents’ decisions regarding their children’s preventive healthcare, even before some of these policies were put into effect.”
The researchers discovered a significant decline in well-child visits for children of immigrant mothers, plummeting from 54% before the 2016 election to nearly 49% in 2017. In contrast, there was no change in well-child visits for U.S.-born children after Trump assumed office.
Highlighting the urgent need for reforms, Dr. Ettinger de Cuba stated, “These results underscore the need for changes to both laws and regulations that recognize the individual and societal impact of ensuring immigrant families can meet all of their basic needs, including healthcare, without fear.” She added, “Words matter and have real-life consequences in campaigns and governance. Much more work is needed to rebuild trust in immigrant communities.”
