Report on Healthcare Avoidance and Public Health Risks in Southern California

Introduction

Recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Southern California have led to significant healthcare avoidance among residents, raising critical concerns about public health and infectious disease control. This report emphasizes the implications of these developments in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

Impact of Healthcare Avoidance on Public Health

According to staff writer Corinne Purtill’s article, many individuals are skipping healthcare appointments due to fear of ICE enforcement. This avoidance results in:

1. Missed chronic care appointments, increasing individual health risks.
2. Failure to diagnose and treat contagious diseases, posing a threat to community health.

Risks of Undetected Infectious Diseases

• Communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, measles, and seasonal influenza may spread unchecked.
• Undiagnosed cases in densely populated areas, schools, and workplaces could trigger widespread outbreaks.
• Both documented and undocumented residents are at risk, highlighting the need for inclusive healthcare access.

Public Health and SDG Alignment

Effective disease surveillance and prevention require community-wide participation, aligning with the following SDG targets:

• SDG 3.3: End epidemics of communicable diseases.
• SDG 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential healthcare services.
• SDG 10.2: Promote social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of immigration status.

Immigration enforcement that deters vulnerable populations from seeking medical care undermines these goals by creating blind spots in infectious disease monitoring systems.

Call to Action

Los Angeles faces a public health crisis as a significant portion of its population remains hidden from medical care. Immediate measures are necessary to:

• Ensure safe and accessible healthcare services for all residents.
• Strengthen infectious disease surveillance and prevention strategies.
• Promote policies that support health equity and community trust.

Conclusion

Addressing healthcare avoidance linked to immigration enforcement is essential to protect the health of all Angelenos and to fulfill commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals. Collaborative efforts between public health authorities, policymakers, and communities are critical to overcoming this challenge.

Reference

Klitzner, Thomas. Letter to the editor regarding healthcare avoidance and public health risks in Southern California. “In Southern California, many are skipping healthcare out of fear of ICE operations,” June 20, 2025.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article focuses on public health, healthcare access, disease prevention, and control of infectious diseases, which are central to SDG 3.
2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The article highlights healthcare avoidance among vulnerable populations due to fear of immigration enforcement, pointing to inequalities in access to healthcare services.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Issues related to immigration enforcement impacting public health suggest a connection to SDG 16, which includes promoting inclusive societies and access to justice.

2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs

1. SDG 3 Targets
   • Target 3.3: End the epidemics of communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, measles, and other infectious diseases.
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential healthcare services and access to safe, effective vaccines.
2. SDG 10 Targets
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of migration status.
3. SDG 16 Targets
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • Target 16.b: Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article

1. Indicators for SDG 3
   • Incidence rates of communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, measles, and seasonal flu.
   • Vaccination coverage rates among the population.
   • Percentage of population with access to healthcare services, including vulnerable and undocumented groups.
2. Indicators for SDG 10
   • Proportion of vulnerable populations (including undocumented immigrants) accessing healthcare services.
   • Measures of social inclusion and reduction in disparities in healthcare access.
3. Indicators for SDG 16
   • Existence and enforcement of non-discriminatory policies affecting healthcare access.
   • Levels of trust and participation in public health systems by all community members.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: latimes.com