HEALTHCARE POLICY IN THE USA: ARE AZERBAIJANI IMMIGRANTS' HAVE ADEQUATE ACCESS?

Abstract

The article presents the results of a study conducted to examine the accessibility of healthcare services for Azerbaijani immigrants in the United States (U.S.). Azerbaijani immigrants represent a small but growing community in the U.S. A cross-sectional survey (n=82) of Azerbaijani adults residing in the U.S. was analyzed, capturing demographics, insurance coverage, citizenship/immigration status, primary care access, vaccination, employment, income, housing, and attitudes toward the U.S. healthcare system. Descriptive statistics were generated; statistical Analysis System (SAS) with sampling weights was specified by the investigators. Participants were predominantly working-age (18–39 years), 41.5% female and 58.5% male. Insurance coverage was 82.9% overall (72.9% private; 15.7% Medicaid/other public; 11.1% Medicare), leaving 17.1% uninsured. Thirty-nine percent had <5 years of U.S. residence; 54.9% were U.S. citizens; among noncitizens, 43.8% were documented and 5% were undocumented. Azerbaijani immigrants demonstrate moderate coverage and primary-care access. However, some factors like limited health system literacy, and cultural factors still exists. Tailored outreach to improve health literacy, navigation support, and affordable coverage — especially for recent arrivals and the uninsured— may improve preventive care and integration.