Methods. We used multivariate survival analysis to examine gaining and losing insurance by citizenship and legal status among adults with the Los Angeles Family and Neighborhood Survey.
census tracts
METHODS
Data Source
Analyses were based on wave 1 of the 2000–2001 Los Angeles Family and Neighborhood Survey (LAFANS-1). LAFANS-1 wasa survey of adults, children, and neighborhoods in a stratified probability sample of census tracts in Los Angeles County. The 1652 census tracts in Los Angeles County were divided into very poor, poor, and nonpoor strata based on the percentage of the
population living in poverty in each census tract. A total of 65 tracts were sampled: 20 each from the very poor and poor strata and 25 from the nonpoor stratum. Within each sampled tract, 40–50 dwelling units were selected at random, with an oversampling ofhouseholds with children. Within each household, LAFANS-1 randomly selected 1 adult (aged 18 years and older) for interview. Interviews were conducted in English and Spanish. Two thousand six hundred twenty-three adult respondents were interviewed. Our analysis was limited to adult respondents younger
than 65 years—the age of eligibility for Medicare. Twenty-three hundred respondents had health insurance information and were under 65 years of age. The analysis sample size was reduced to 2130 after we excluded respondents with missing information on the independent variables.
Results. We found significant differences by citizenship and legal status in
health insurance transitions. Undocumented immigrants were less likely to gain
and more likely to lose insurance compared with native-born citizens. Legal residents
were less likely to gain and were slightly more likely to lose insurance
compared with native-born citizens. Naturalized citizens did not differ from nativeborn
citizenship