Health Care for Immigrants

Abstract

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists supports the health and well-being of all who seek obstetric and gynecologic care and advocates to secure quality health care for all, without regard to immigration status. Policies that infringe on the health and rights of immigrants and limit access to health care, anti-immigrant rhetoric, and punitive immigration-enforcement activities all have detrimental effects on health. Depending on individual circumstances, immigrants may have unique health needs, such as injuries sustained in the process of immigrating or in the workplace, exposure to communicable diseases, exposure to toxins in the workplace, and advanced presentation of disease due to barriers to obtaining health care, among others.