Health equity

Introduction Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) older adults in the United States (U.S.) face barriers to accessing health information and resources they need to make informed healthcare decisions. More resources are needed to promote their agency and preparedness to navigate an increasingly complex healthcare system and sociopolitical landscape. The purpose of this study was to develop a testable web-based resource to support informed healthcare decision-making for TGD older adults. Methods This multimethod co-design study integrated a human-centered design approach that centered the perspectives of TGD older adults in the research process. In the prototyping and testing phases of the study, TGD adults and multidisciplinary professionals from across the U.S. were enrolled to co-develop a web-based resource with the research team during individual and paired interviews. Participants also completed a demographic questionnaire and a website usability survey. Thematic analysis of qualitative data was used to identify design themes, which guided iterative prototyping of the web-based resource. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively. Complementary data from the usability survey and participant interviews were integrated in a joint display. Results A total of 27 participants, of whom 14 (52%) were TGD older adults, enrolled in the prototyping and testing phases. Analysis of qualitative data across both phases yielded five design themes that structured the development of a functional web-based resource: (1) Facilitating healthcare decisions through information and resources; (2) Organizing complex content with clarity and inclusivity; (3) Maintaining security, accessibility, and navigability; (4) Phasing rollout to communities and organizations; and (5) Planning for leadership, stewardship, and partnership. In the prototyping phase, three low- and mid-fidelity prototypes of a health information and resources website for TGD older adults were developed. In the testing phase, participants trialed a mid-fidelity prototype of the website, and their recommendations for improvements were integrated into a high-fidelity prototype for dissemination. Conclusion This study is one of few studies using participatory methods to engage TGD older adults in public health research. Through the development of a health information and resources website, this study demonstrates an innovative and feasible community-based co-design approach to addressing barriers affecting healthcare decision-making for TGD older adults.

BACKGROUND: Israel's 2015 mental health reform transferred responsibility for mental health services from the government to community health maintenance organisations (HMOs), aiming to improve accessibility and equity and reduce stigma. However, its implications for different populations remain significantly underresearched. AIMS: To examine trends in mental health service utilisation and psychiatric medication issue rates among Arab and Ultra-Orthodox Jewish populations before and after the 2015 mental health reform. METHOD: = 2 847 184). Participants were classified as either general (non-Ultra-Orthodox Jewish), Ultra-Orthodox Jewish or Arab. The study analysed annual community visits to mental health professionals and dispensed psychiatric prescriptions. RESULTS: Between 2012 and 2019 the number of mental health service users increased across all populations, most prominently among Ultra-Orthodox Jewish and Arab populations (1.94- and 1.91-fold, respectively), compared with 1.55-fold in the general population. Annual community visits increased 2.4-fold in the general population, 2.2-fold in the Ultra-Orthodox Jewish population and 3.7-fold among Arabs, who had the lowest baseline utilisation. Psychiatric medication issue rates increased most in the Ultra-Orthodox Jewish population (2.5-fold), compared with 1.7-fold in the Arab and 1.5-fold in the general population. Women consistently used more services than men, with the greatest relative increase among Arab women. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest improved access to mental health services over the study period spanning the 2015 mental health reform, particularly in previously underserved populations. Continued progress requires culturally sensitive, community-tailored interventions for Arab and Ultra-Orthodox Jewish populations.

In California, health and community-based organizations serve as vital intermediaries, helping Latino immigrants navigate Medi-Cal (the state’s Medicaid program) enrollment and access to care. The 2024 Medi-Cal expansion extended eligibility to undocumented immigrants who meet income criteria. Despite this policy shift, persistent barriers to care remain at the individual, insurance system, and organizational levels. This study examines Latino immigrants’ navigation of health insurance and access to care in California. As part of the MIRA Latino study, we interviewed leaders from 32 California health and community-based organizations between May 2024 to April 2025. Two researchers independently coded transcripts in Dedoose. Themes were organized using our Insurance Navigation and Healthcare Access Framework, developed from emergent themes and adapted from Andersen’s Behavioral Model, examining predisposing and enabling factors at individual, organizational, and insurance system levels. The framework effectively organized themes despite substantial cross-level overlap. Key multilevel barriers included immigration status and institutional mistrust at the individual level; restrictive Medi-Cal income thresholds and complex application processes at the insurance system level, which generated burdens for both clients and staff; and caseworker delays and funding constraints at the insurance and organizational levels. Navigation support provided by organizations included education, application assistance and follow-up, appeals, and linkage to health services. Community organizations play a critical role in bridging gaps in government systems amid California’s 2024 Medi-Cal expansion to income-eligible undocumented immigrants. However, limited and unstable funding constrains their capacity. Sustained state investment and stronger agency partnerships are essential to support outreach and ensure equitable access to care as health and immigration policies continue to evolve.

در ایالت کالیفرنیا، سازمان‌های بهداشتی و مبتنی بر جامعه به‌عنوان واسطه‌های حیاتی عمل می‌کنند و به مهاجران لاتین‌تبار در فرآیند ثبت‌نام در مدیکال (برنامه مدیکید ایالتی) و دسترسی به مراقبت‌های سلامت یاری می‌رسانند. گسترش مدیکال در سال ۲۰۲۴، شرایط احراز صلاحیت را برای مهاجران فاقد مدرک که معیارهای درآمدی را دارند، توسعه داد. با وجود این تغییر سیاستی، موانع پایدار در سطوح فردی، نظام بیمه و سازمانی همچنان باقی مانده‌اند. این مطالعه به بررسی نحوه پیمایش مهاجران لاتین‌تبار در زمینه بیمه سلامت و دسترسی به مراقبت در کالیفرنیا می‌پردازد. در قالب مطالعه MIRA Latino، با رهبران ۳۲ سازمان بهداشتی و مبتنی بر جامعه در کالیفرنیا بین مه ۲۰۲۴ تا آوریل ۲۰۲۵ مصاحبه شد. دو پژوهشگر به‌طور مستقل رونوشت‌ها را در نرم‌افزار Dedoose کدگذاری کردند. مضامین با استفاده از چارچوب «پیمایش بیمه و دسترسی به مراقبت سلامت» که بر اساس مضامین برآمده و اقتباس‌شده از مدل رفتاری Andersen توسعه یافته بود، سازمان‌دهی شدند و عوامل زمینه‌ساز و تسهیل‌کننده را در سطوح فردی، سازمانی و نظام بیمه بررسی کردند. این چارچوب با وجود همپوشانی قابل توجه میان سطوح، به‌طور مؤثری مضامین را سازمان‌دهی کرد. موانع کلیدی چندسطحی شامل وضعیت مهاجرت و بی‌اعتمادی نهادی در سطح فردی؛ آستانه‌های درآمدی محدودکننده مدیکال و فرآیندهای پیچیده درخواست در سطح نظام بیمه که موجب تحمیل بار بر مراجعان و کارکنان می‌شود؛ و تأخیرهای کارمندان پرونده و محدودیت‌های مالی در سطوح بیمه و سازمانی بودند. حمایت‌های پیمایشی ارائه‌شده توسط سازمان‌ها شامل آموزش، کمک در تکمیل درخواست و پیگیری، فرایند اعتراض و ارتباط با خدمات سلامت بود. سازمان‌های مبتنی بر جامعه نقش حیاتی در پر کردن خلأهای نظام‌های دولتی در جریان گسترش مدیکال ۲۰۲۴ کالیفرنیا برای مهاجران فاقد مدرک واجد شرایط درآمدی ایفا می‌کنند. با این حال، منابع مالی محدود و ناپایدار ظرفیت آن‌ها را محدود می‌کند. سرمایه‌گذاری پایدار ایالتی و تقویت همکاری میان سازمان‌ها برای حمایت از اطلاع‌رسانی و تضمین دسترسی عادلانه به مراقبت، همزمان با تحول سیاست‌های سلامت و مهاجرت، ضروری است.