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Medical-legal partnerships to support continuity of care for immigrants impacted by HIV: Lessons learned from California

S.M. Fuller, W.T. Steward, O. Martinez, E.A. Arnold
J Immigr Minor Health

The United States (US) has experienced a surge of anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric, raising concerns about the influence on health outcomes for immigrants living in the US. We conducted qualitative interviews (n = 20) with health care and social service providers, attorneys, and legal/policy experts in California to understand how agencies were maintaining access to HIV care and prevention for immigrant clients. We conducted a thematic analysis to describe the role of medical-legal partnerships (MLPs) and document best practices. Informants reported high demand for legal services. Referrals were facilitated by case managers, medical providers, and pre-existing relationships between clinics and legal agencies. Informants identified a need for additional funding and further guidance on screening for and supporting patients with legal needs. MLPs have the capacity to create sustainable, efficient, comprehensive structural changes that minimize barriers to HIV prevention and treatment and improve health outcomes among immigrant populations.

Fuller SM, Steward WT, Martinez O, Arnold EA. Medical-legal partnerships to support continuity of care for immigrants impacted by HIV: Lessons learned from California. J Immigr Minor Health. 2019. PMID: 31332651. DOI: 10.1007/s10903-019-00919-0.

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Publication year
Resource type
Peer Reviewed Research
Outcomes
Process
Population
Immigrants
Social Determinant of Health
Health Care Access
Legal Services
Study design
Other Study Design
Keywords