To the editor: The article by the personnel writer Corinne Purtill on avoidance of medical care due to the operations of immigration and customs compliance highlights a crucial gap: the threat to public health raised by infectious diseases not detected (“In southern California, many are jumping medical attention for fear of ice operations.” June 20). While lossed chronic attention quotes create individual health risks, lack of diagnosis and treat contagious conditions threatens our entire community.
When fearful residents stop looking for medical attention, avoid routine visits and saute vaccines, transmissible diseases such as tuberculosis, measles or seasonal flu can extend without control. A single case not diagnosed in neighborhoods, schools or densely populated workplaces of Los Angeles could trigger outbreaks that affect all, documented and undocumented residents equally.
Public health depends on participation throughout the community in disease surveillance and prevention. The application of immigration that moves vulnerable populations of medical care not only damages these people; It also creates dangerous blind points in our infectious disease monitoring systems.
Angels cannot maintain public health, while a significant part of our population remains hidden from medical care. This crisis requires immediate attention to protect all angels.
Thomas Klitzner, Culver City
