Healthcare Access Disparities among Youth in Detention: Access among Latino Youth.

Latino youth experience significant healthcare disparities, particularly in juvenile detention facilities, where access to appropriate medical care is often limited. These disparities can contribute to a range of negative health outcomes, largely influenced by systemic factors such as socioeconomic status, cultural barriers, and inadequate health services tailored to their specific needs. Using logistic regression analyses, we examine individual and situational factors influencing healthcare access and outcomes among 377 detained youth. Specifically, we assess the likelihood of visiting a doctor in the past six months, being diagnosed with a chronic medical illness, and receiving treatment for such illnesses, with a focus on racial/ethnic and gender disparities. Results revealed that visiting a doctor significantly increased the likelihood of diagnosis and treatment for chronic illnesses. Girls were more likely to seek medical care than boys, while Latino youth were less likely than their non-Latino counterparts to access healthcare services. Mental health status and pre-incarceration living conditions also emerged as meaningful factors for chronic illness diagnosis and treatment. These findings highlight the urgent need for better healthcare interventions to address the barriers faced by Latino youth and the challenges of mental health issues and unstable living conditions in detention settings.