Bridging Gaps in Healthcare Access for Hispanic Migrants in Chicago: A Qualitative Study on Gender Violence Survivor Support
Location
SU-216
Start Date
2-5-2025 12:30 PM
Department
Community and Public Health
Abstract
Aim/Purpose: Hispanic migrants in Chicago face many barriers to accessing healthcare, particularly domestic violence (DV) and sexual assault (SA). Additionally they face significant risks to their mental and physical wellbeing. This study aims to improve service accessibility by developing tools that equip service providers in Chicago, including frontline workers and prevention educators, with targeted resources to address these challenges. Methods: While existing literature highlights known barriers, and interventions at an individual level, it often overlooks structural factors and lacks practical community informed solutions. Incorporating intersectionality, trauma informed practice, and community-based participatory research practices, the study applies a qualitative approach including a needs assessment, stakeholder interviews, and focus groups with service providers in Chicago to identify gaps in service delivery and inform resource development. Findings/Results: Preliminary findings reveal that language barriers, legal concerns, systemic discrimination, economic hardship, and fear of deportation severely limit access to healthcare for migrants. Pre- and post-arrival experiences, such as sexual violence, poverty, and community violence, exacerbate health disparities, in addition to acculturation and a lack of, insurance, and trauma care further hindering recovery and continuing to exacerbating health disparities. Implications/Recommendations: By equipping service providers with accessible and tailored materials, such as PDF-based tools and a resource website, this study enhances both direct service delivery and community-based prevention efforts. The outcomes of this work contributes to public health by highlighting the urgent need for culturally responsive interventions to mitigate health disparities, strengthen trauma-informed care, and support for survivor services in Chicago.
Faculty Sponsor
Chika Ejike
Bridging Gaps in Healthcare Access for Hispanic Migrants in Chicago: A Qualitative Study on Gender Violence Survivor Support
SU-216
Aim/Purpose: Hispanic migrants in Chicago face many barriers to accessing healthcare, particularly domestic violence (DV) and sexual assault (SA). Additionally they face significant risks to their mental and physical wellbeing. This study aims to improve service accessibility by developing tools that equip service providers in Chicago, including frontline workers and prevention educators, with targeted resources to address these challenges. Methods: While existing literature highlights known barriers, and interventions at an individual level, it often overlooks structural factors and lacks practical community informed solutions. Incorporating intersectionality, trauma informed practice, and community-based participatory research practices, the study applies a qualitative approach including a needs assessment, stakeholder interviews, and focus groups with service providers in Chicago to identify gaps in service delivery and inform resource development. Findings/Results: Preliminary findings reveal that language barriers, legal concerns, systemic discrimination, economic hardship, and fear of deportation severely limit access to healthcare for migrants. Pre- and post-arrival experiences, such as sexual violence, poverty, and community violence, exacerbate health disparities, in addition to acculturation and a lack of, insurance, and trauma care further hindering recovery and continuing to exacerbating health disparities. Implications/Recommendations: By equipping service providers with accessible and tailored materials, such as PDF-based tools and a resource website, this study enhances both direct service delivery and community-based prevention efforts. The outcomes of this work contributes to public health by highlighting the urgent need for culturally responsive interventions to mitigate health disparities, strengthen trauma-informed care, and support for survivor services in Chicago.