Examining the Relationship Between Immigrant Residential Segregation and Access to Healthcare

Abstract

ABSTRACT As a result of recent immigration, the United States is becoming more racially and ethnically diverse. Since immigrants have added some new dimensions to the segregation picture within their ethnic/immigrant communities, it is important to understand their travel behaviour. Despite the recent research studies examining access to job opportunities in foreign-born neighborhoods versus U.S.-born neighborhoods, little has been done regarding spatial disparities in access to healthcare facilities. Accordingly, the present study investigates the disparities in the accessibility of Minnesota immigrant neighborhoods to healthcare facilities. Different neighborhoods are therefore distinguished according to their immigrant composition and median household income. The results reveal that compared to White neighborhoods, ethnic/immigrant neighborhoods are more physically accessible. Even so, low-income immigrant neighborhoods tend to have maximum access to healthcare facilities.