Exploring migrants' health seeking strategies: the case of Latin American migrants in London

Abstract

Purpose -The objective of this paper is to examine the health seeking strategies of Latin American migrants in London.Design/methodology/approach -The paper draws on a small case study analysis conducted with Latin American migrants in London and relevant stakeholders. Findings -The paper highlights that even where Latin American migrants do have entitlements to use the NHS, a series of informal barriers limits their access. As a consequence many employ a range of transnational health-seeking strategies in order to seek resolution to their health problems. These findings repeat those identified in other studies and point to the need to gain a better understanding of migrant's exclusion and marginalisation in relation to formal health care providers. At the same time, the findings point to the lack of long-term resolution many migrants experience in relation to their health care needs, raising important questions about health inequalities.Research limitations/implications -Latin Americans represent a hugely diverse and heterogeneous group of migrants who have differing values and belief systems in relation to health care. A more detailed study is necessary in order to fully understand their health seeking behaviour in a UK context.Originality/value -Latin Americans represent a ''new migrant'' population in the UK and are considerably under-researched compared to more established migrant communities. At the same time they are an unrecognised group and are therefore excluded from many policy debates. This paper seeks to address this lack of knowledge.

Factores asociados a la no utilización de servicios de salud en inmigrantes venezolanos en Perú

“…El fenómeno migratorio puede aumentar la vulnerabilidad de los migrantes y refugiados a padecer problemas de salud debido a mayores exposiciones a factores de riesgo durante el viaje migratorio, violencia sexual y física, condiciones laborales desfavorables y malas condiciones de vida, además de inseguridad alimentaria (7) . De igual forma, pueden existir motivaciones para la migración relacionadas a búsqueda de atención médica en el país receptor (8,9) . Si bien existen tratados internacionales de protección a los derechos humanos del migrante (10,11) , esta población suele enfrentar barreras para su atención en salud, presentando un menor uso de estos servicios respecto a la población local, ya sea por falta de documentación, accesibilidad geográfica o poder adquisitivo (9,12,13) .…”

Ethics of Care in Supporting Disabled Forced Migrants: Interactions with Professionals and Ethical Dilemmas in Health and Social Care in the South-East of England

“…Barriers may be structural, social or cultural or may relate to the challenges facing refugee and minority ethnic community organisations, which often become the key source of support in the absence of, or restrictions in, statutory provision (Straimer, 2011;Ward et al, 2008). While access to healthcare is dependent on formal policies, informal networks and support are also significant; language barriers, gender norms and stigmatisation mean that people may rely on receiving information from informal sources, such as from relatives, friends and neighbours (Gideon, 2011;Sabates-Wheeler and MacAuslan, 2007). Further difficulties are caused by the way that asylum support is structured and provisioned.…”

Utilization of healthcare services among Chinese migrants in Kenya: a qualitative study

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