Effect of acculturation and income on Hispanic women's health

This research examines how acculturation and income affect health care access, utilization, and prevention knowledge among a population of Hispanic women living along the U.S.-Mexico border in Yuma, Arizona, a rural agricultural county. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 417 Hispanic women with mean age 61.3 years (s.d.=9.2). Most were long-term residents of Yuma County with some elementary and middle school education. Respondents had low monthly household incomes (average: $927.77, s.d.=550.40) and 10% reported current employment. The results show that income may be a more important predictor of actual utilization of health care services while acculturation may play a more prominent role with respect to provider preferences. A better understanding of the complex interplay between the individual and the society she inhabits is required in order to develop a meaningful public health intervention that will affect disease risk.