Prevention among migrants--problems in health care provision and suggested solutions illustrated for the field of medical rehabilitation

• Published in: Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946) Vol. 139; no. 38; p. 1895
• Main Authors: Brzoska, P, Razum, O
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: German
• Published: Germany 01.09.2014
• Subjects: Accidents, Occupational - prevention & control; Case Management; Chronic Disease - prevention & control; Chronic Disease - rehabilitation; Cultural Competency; Cultural Diversity; Emigrants and Immigrants; Germany; Health Services Accessibility - statistics & numerical data; Health Services Needs and Demand - statistics & numerical data; Health Status; Humans; Occupational Diseases - prevention & control; Occupational Diseases - rehabilitation; Rehabilitation, Vocational; Risk Factors; Germany
• ISSN: 1439-4413
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1387238

In Germany, 16 million people have a migration background. As compared to the majority population, they have higher prevalences of some chronic diseases and are at a higher risk of occupational accidents, occupational diseases and retirement due to disability. Preventive health care services, therefore, are of high relevance in this population group.  As a result of barriers to health care access and effectiveness, people with a migration background, however, benefit less from preventive services than the majority population. This is particularly the case for rehabilitation. In order to improve preventive health care for people with a migration background sustainably, current health care services must become sensitive to the needs of this population group. Diversity management can contribute to this process.