Improving health care access for low-income undocumented immigrants
Official title: Access to medical care and health care utilization among low-income immigrants
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-10934491 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how better access to health care through the MyHealth LA program helps low-income, uninsured undocumented immigrants in Los Angeles County, comparing their health and care usage to those who aren't in the program to find ways to improve health care for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | September 24, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $234,346 |
| NIH project number | 5R21MD019086-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10934491 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are low-income, uninsured undocumented immigrants living in Los Angeles County.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not low-income or who are documented immigrants may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how expanded access to health care affects low-income, uninsured undocumented immigrants in Los Angeles County. By focusing on the MyHealth LA program, which provides comprehensive health services to approximately 130,000 patients annually, the project aims to analyze patient outcomes and health care utilization. Researchers will compare the health outcomes of patients enrolled in this program with those who are not, using a unique dataset that includes patient records and health claims. The goal is to gather evidence that can inform policies aimed at improving health care access for this vulnerable population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes and better access to care for low-income undocumented immigrants.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that expanding access to health care can lead to improved health outcomes for underserved populations, suggesting that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ro, Annie Eun Young — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Ro, Annie Eun Young
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.