Cándido Álvarez has a personal rule: he avoids the doctor. “Not when I’m sick, not even if it’s serious,” he shares. His reluctance stems from a painful experience with a $7,500 hospital bill after just four hours in the ER with COVID-19.
Recently, while working in Houston’s stifling heat, his body temperature soared to 120°F. He noticed blood in his urine—signs of potential kidney damage—but still hesitated to seek help. “I might die from my illness, but mostly from worrying about paying rent,” he says.
Álvarez, 47, is an undocumented immigrant from Honduras who has lived in Houston since 2015. Unlike his wife and three children, he lacks health insurance. This is a common scenario for many workers in low-paying jobs like construction, where safety equipment is often missing. Mold, toxic debris, and air pollution are daily risks they face.
Living in an area known for industrial pollution, Álvarez questions the city’s environmental claims. “How can it be possible that this doesn’t affect the environment?” he wonders, mentioning the constant smoke from nearby chemical plants.
In Houston, lower-income immigrant communities often bear the brunt of climate change and industrial pollution. Public health suffers as insurance costs rise and the Trump administration’s hardline policies limit healthcare access. This creates a cycle where fear keeps people from seeking medical help, even in emergencies.
Notably, nearly 30% of Houston’s 2.4 million residents are foreign-born, and about a third of those immigrants lack legal status. Many come from diverse backgrounds, with large populations from Mexico, Vietnam, and the Philippines. According to the Migration Policy Institute, only a minority of local immigrants have health insurance, leaving many to rely on emergency care.
As extreme weather events like hurricanes and floods increase, the stress on these vulnerable communities escalates. Research indicates that immigrants disproportionately suffer from health problems following such disasters. A study focusing on Houston’s Vietnamese community found that those living in damaged homes often faced poor mental health outcomes.
Community advocates like Norma Gonzalez point out that neighborhoods lacking proper infrastructure remain at risk for floods. Hilda, another resident, mentions recent storms have made her community’s flooding worse, pushing families into dangerous living conditions. She believes that increasing vegetation can help reduce flooding and improve air quality.
The city’s history of environmental racism further complicates matters, as industrial waste frequently ends up in lower-income neighborhoods. A recent study found dangerous chemical levels in soil samples from northeast Houston, raising alarms about health risks.
Organizations like the Ibn Sina Foundation play a crucial role in providing healthcare to these immigrants. They deliver important services, often ignoring barriers like immigration enforcement. Despite their efforts, fear persists among residents, with many avoiding medical care even when needed. As Álvarez reflects on his situation, it’s clear that economic and environmental challenges are intertwined, disproportionately impacting those who already face significant obstacles in their lives.
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