State-Level Anti-Immigrant Sentiment and Policies and Health Risks in US Latino Children

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sociology
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Limited research exists on how systemic inequities impact child health, especially in Latino populations.
• Systemic inequities, defined by exclusionary policies and prejudice, are understudied in relation to child health disparities.
• This study addresses the gap by examining systemic inequities and their effect on multiple health problems in Latino children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between state-level systemic inequities and the prevalence of multiple health problems in Latino children.
• To analyze how exclusionary policies and prejudicial attitudes at the state level correlate with child health outcomes.
• To provide evidence on the health impacts of systemic inequities on a vulnerable pediatric population.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from 17,855 Latino children (ages 3-17) from the National Survey of Children's Health (2016-2020).
• Developed a composite measure of state-level systemic inequities, combining policy data and attitudinal surveys.
• Assessed child health problems across three categories: common difficulties, chronic physical conditions, and mental health conditions.

Main Results:

• Systemic inequities were associated with a 1.13 increased odds of chronic physical health conditions.
• Higher systemic inequity levels correlated with 1.24 times the odds of experiencing two or more mental health conditions.
• These associations remained significant after adjusting for sociodemographic factors, discrimination, and income inequality.

Conclusions:

• Latino children in states with greater systemic inequity face higher risks for chronic physical and mental health conditions.
• Findings underscore the detrimental impact of state-level systemic inequities on the health of Latino children.
• Highlights the need for policies addressing systemic inequities to improve child health outcomes.