Published in:
01-01-2015 | Original Article
Reviewing the topic of migration and health as a new national health target for Germany
Authors:
Patrick Brzoska, Ute Ellert, Ahmet Kimil, Oliver Razum, Anke-Christine Sass, Ramazan Salman, Hajo Zeeb
Published in:
International Journal of Public Health
|
Issue 1/2015
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Abstract
Objectives
To review migration and health as a potential new national health target for Germany.
Methods
The theme was evaluated along 13 standardized criteria preset by the Health Targets
Network. For each of the criteria an expert opinion based on an extensive (but nonsystematic)
review of literature is presented.
Results
Migrants differ in many health-related aspects from the majority population in Germany.
Despite having some health advantages, their health status, on average, is lower than
that of non-migrants. They also experience barriers in health care and cannot
participate in the society on equal terms with the majority population. Different
measures to improve the health situation of migrants are available, but their current
implementation in the health system is limited in several ways. Present data on the
health of migrants is inadequate and limits migrant-sensitive health reporting.
Conclusion
The evaluation of potential health targets based on standardized criteria is a valuable
tool for health policy formulation. The present documentation can assist other countries
in evaluating migration and health as a national health target. It may also contribute to
similar activities at the European level.