This landmark report describes patterns and trends associated with Latin American, in particular, Mexican migration to the United States. Authored by Center associate director, Steven P. Wallace, PhD, and others, the report focuses on immigrants' health insurance coverage, common illnesses, and access to and utilization of health services. This report also includes a number of considerations that point out challenges and opportunities in the field of binational public policy. The production of this report was made possible through the binational collaboration of the National Population Council of Mexico (CONAPO), the Secretary of Health of Mexico, and the University of California.

A collaboration of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, the UC Berkeley School of Public Health and the Health Initiative of the Americas, this report explores the health care challenges faced by Latin American immigrants, and Mexican immigrants in particular. The report dispels the common misperception that these immigrants come to the United States primarily to seek health services. Key findings from the report include: Latino immigrants come to the United States to work The U.S. relies on Mexican immigrant workers in agriculture, construction and service jobs These jobs pay very low wages and rarely offer health insurance These jobs have higher levels of occupational health risk

The fundamental purpose of "Mexico-United States Migration: Health issues" is to present a general overview of the conditions faced by Mexican residents in the United States concerning their health care. Good health constitutes an essential asset for the integral development of an immigrant's capacities for performing labor and for social participation. Enjoying good health not only benefits the immigrants themselves and their descendents, both Mexican and American, but also has larger social and economic implications for both the receiving communities and the places of origin. The health of immigrants, particularly the poorest and most mobile among them, is therefore a concern requiring attention from both Mexico and the United States in the form of programs and strategies with a binational perspective. The Ministry of Health and the National Population Council (Consejo Nacional de Población-CONAPO) of the Government of Mexico, and the University of California through the California-Mexico Health Initiative of the California Policy Research Center, Office of the President, and the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research have produced this document.