Mexican immigrant women in New Brunswick face barriers to practicing traditional folk health methods since settling in the area. Three main types of barriers were identified: interpersonal barriers with healthcare providers who may not understand folk practices, environmental barriers due to the availability and cost of traditional ingredients, and systemic barriers such as documentation requirements to access services. The study aims to investigate the extent to which these women can continue traditional practices in New Brunswick, and whether those practices conflict with institutional healthcare programs. Focus group interviews have been conducted with 14 Mexican immigrant women so far to understand their health perspectives and experiences.

1. Key References
“Trying to schedule and stick with it was
hard. And I think that part of it, there was
a disconnect. If I couldn’t make it, I didn’t
couldn’t make it, but would get some
attitude from staff. One day I went there,
he wasn’t there, no one had called me.
The Everyday Practice of Health for Mexican Women in New Brunswick: Barriers and Opportunities
Miraida Morales, School of Communication and Information, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Teresa Vivar, Lazos América Unida, New Brunswick, NJ
New Labor, New Brunswick, NJ
1) Investigate to what extent Mexican immigrant women are able to
continue to practice folk methods when they settle in New Brunswick?
2) Investigate to what extent do these folk healing or traditional medicine
practices conflict with institutional health care programs, methods
or treatment options they have access to in New Brunswick?
Objectives
Background
Methods
Conclusion
“I like to walk in the
do that than walk on the
treadmill. That would make
“He made it fun, and when he
thought maybe I could use a
heavier weight, and I didn’t
think I could, he would
encourage me. He explained
what I was doing and why. He
would correct me when I was
doing exercises incorrectly.”
- 49.9% of New Brunswick residents are Hispanic; 25.6% of residents are
of Mexican origin; many come from rural or indigenous communities
- Hispanic residents of NB have significantly higher risk of having problems
of access to healthcare
- Most participants don’t have health insurance; rely on Charity Care
program
- Latino Paradox: where recent immigrants have much better health,
in spite of low socioeconomic status and the stresses of migration, than
longer-term residents or those born in the USA
Environmental survey of NB retail environment for
Mexican products
Collaboration with community organizations:
New Labor; Lazos América Unida
Focus group interviews with Mexican immigrant women living in
NB area (2 completed so far, with total of 14 participants)
Descriptive statistical analysis of participant demographic
surveys
Thematic analysis of transcribed focus group data
- Strong association between food/nutrition & health
- Strong association between environment & health
- Perception of food changes after arrival & settlement in New Brunswick
- 3 main types of barriers to community health practices: interpersonal
barriers, environmental barriers, systemic barriers
Preliminary Findings
Type of Barrier Examples
Interpersonal
Perceived lack of understanding of healthcare providers about
folk health methods; Provider resistance to home remedies;
Differing perceptions of illness between community & health practitioners
Environmental Availability & cost of ingredients; rural vs. urban lifestyle; food
preparation changes due to refrigeration & lack of fresh food
Systemic
Documentation requirements to receive services; Public
school system policies about sick days; Pharmacies & Rx
requirements
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