Cardiovascular health in migrants

Abstract

In the present economic context, the European Union is placing great attention to improve data collection for migrant health and to support the implementation of specific prevention policies aimed at limiting the future burden of cardiovascular and renal disease, and the consequent load for health systems. Wider initiatives on the topic are awaited in Italy.

Exploring the Health Care Challenges and Health Care Needs of Arabic-Speaking Immigrants with Cardiovascular Disease in Australia

“…Both groups expressed the view that having effective communication skills, which entail clarity, approachability, and two-way communication is important in promoting appropriate use of medicine, self-management, and treatment adherence. This is consistent with the findings of previous research [40][41][42].…”

“…Poor HCP-patient communication was reported by most Arabic-speaking participants, and a few English-speaking participants. This is in line with the findings of previous research which shows that poor HCP-patient communication tends to be more prominent among immigrants [42]. This is due to these patients' poor English-speaking skills, which may contribute to their inability to understand HCPs, express their health concerns, and discuss symptoms, leading to negative healthrelated consequences including misdiagnosis [43].…”

Health literacy: the missing link in improving the health of Somali immigrant women in Oslo

“…Health Literacy (HL) with respect to Health Care (HC), has been determined through seven statements [1–7] and Disease Prevention (DP) through five statements [8–12], whereas Health Promotion (HP) was determined through four statements [13–16]. As shown in Table 2, the Cronbach’s alpha in overall health was 0.91, in health communication 0.87, in disease prevention 0.79 and in health promotion (0.70), which indicates a high level and satisfactory internal consistency for our scale with this specific sample.…”

“…Prior studies have found that half of the adult refugees had at least one chronic non-communicable disease (NCD), while 10 % had three or more NCDs [12], with half being overweight or obese (54.6 %) [12]. Similarly, the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome and other NCDs were found to be higher among immigrants than in the host populations [13–15]. Although migrants are often initially healthier than non-migrant populations, changing environments and the consequent undesirable lifestyle, which is largely precipitated by a low health literacy [16], may expose them to chronic NCDs [13].…”

“…Similarly, the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome and other NCDs were found to be higher among immigrants than in the host populations [13–15]. Although migrants are often initially healthier than non-migrant populations, changing environments and the consequent undesirable lifestyle, which is largely precipitated by a low health literacy [16], may expose them to chronic NCDs [13]. On arrival, immigrants have less knowledge of the health system, and therefore limited access to preventative health-care services and information, both of which may negatively affect their health over time [17].…”