How legal status affects the health of older Latino immigrants
Official title: Legal Status Exposure, Health, and Kinship Networks among Latino Immigrants
Funded at Pennsylvania State University, the · NIH-11093560 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how being undocumented or having legal status affects the health and wellbeing of older Latino immigrants over 50, helping us understand the challenges they face in getting healthcare and relying on family support.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State University, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University Park, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $315,300 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG081306-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11093560 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older Latino immigrants aged 50 and above who have experienced varying legal statuses in the U.S.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not Latino immigrants or those who are younger than 50 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of legal status on the health and wellbeing of older Latino immigrants aged 50 and above. It focuses on how these individuals, many of whom have faced significant hardships, navigate healthcare access and rely on family support due to their exclusion from social safety nets. By utilizing longitudinal data linked to Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid files, the study aims to uncover the relationship between legal status and health outcomes, providing insights into the challenges faced by this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved healthcare access and support systems for older Latino immigrants.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding the intersection of legal status and health can lead to significant improvements in healthcare access for marginalized populations.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State University, the
University Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Van Hook, Jennifer — Pennsylvania State University, the
- Study coordinator: Van Hook, Jennifer
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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.