World Health Day for everyone? Only with migrants!

World Health Day is celebrated worldwide on April 7th, which this year has the motto: "Health for all". We would like to draw attention to the situation of women with refugee and migration experience. Because they are the ones who, despite specific health risks, do not have sufficient access to healthcare.

A lack of knowledge and information about the healthcare system, a lack of support and language and cultural barriers can make access to medical services difficult or even impossible. In addition, migrant women are often affected by psychosocial stress due to flight, migration and integration, which can have a negative impact on their health.

According to a study by the Federal Ministry of Health on the health and health care of women with a migration background, migrants in Germany also have a higher risk of violence and sexual assault.

From our work with migrant participants, we know that they are confronted with everyday racism when trying to heal. This includes prejudices and stereotypes, which in the worst case can even influence diagnoses and treatments.

World Health Day provides an important opportunity to draw attention to the healthcare needs of migrants. We, as DaMigra, call on the government and health services to include the needs of migrants in the planning and implementation of health programs.

Targeted measures to promote access to health care and information and support in coping with psychosocial stress are mandatory for this. Cultural and linguistic characteristics must also be taken into account in order to ensure effective and needs-based health care.

Das also requires better training of health workers to ensure they understand the cultural differences and language barriers of migrant women and are able to treat patients regardless of their origins equally and with respect.

Sources:  (bundesgesundheitsministerium.de)

RKI – focus on migration and health