Exploring how misinformation affects health care access for Latino immigrants
Official title: Understanding Mis- and Disinformation About Health Care Access and Their Impacts on Decision-Making Among Latino Immigrants
Funded at University of Hawaii at Manoa · NIH-11015070 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how false information and fear affect Latino immigrants, especially those without legal status, in California when it comes to getting health care, and it aims to find out what stops them from signing up for programs that could help them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Hawaii at Manoa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Honolulu, United States) |
| Project start | July 19, 2023 |
| Project end | May 9, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $488,051 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MD018727-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11015070 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Latino immigrants, particularly those who are undocumented and may be hesitant to seek health care due to misinformation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not Latino immigrants or those who do not face barriers related to misinformation about health care access may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of mis- and disinformation on health care access among Latino immigrants, particularly focusing on undocumented individuals in California. It aims to understand how fear and distrust influence their decision-making regarding enrollment in health care programs, despite recent policy changes that could benefit them. The study will involve qualitative interviews and surveys to gather insights from the community, helping to identify barriers to accessing health services. By addressing these issues, the research seeks to improve health care engagement for this vulnerable population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health care access and utilization among Latino immigrants, enhancing their overall health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that addressing misinformation can significantly improve health care access and outcomes in marginalized communities, suggesting a promising avenue for this study.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ortega, Alexander N — University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Study coordinator: Ortega, Alexander N
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.