Inequalities by Immigrant Status in Unmet Needs for Healthcare in Europe: The Role of Origin, Nationality and Economic Resources

27 Pages Posted: 28 Oct 2016 Last revised: 23 Dec 2016

See all articles by Caterina Guidi

Caterina Guidi

European University Institute - Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies (RSCAS)

Laia: Palencia

Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona

Silvia Ferrini

University of East Anglia (UEA) - School of Environmental Sciences

Davide Malmusi

Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona; Carlos III Institute of Health - CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP); Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques Sant Pau

Date Written: October 1, 2016

Abstract

The aim of the research is to assess whether there are inequalities in unmet needs for healthcare between natives and migrants within Europe. We used cross-sectional data from the European Statistics on Income and Living Conditions 2012. Our dependent variables were perceived unmet needs for medical and dental examination or treatment. Our main independent variable is immigrant status, defined using a combination of country of birth and citizenship (nationals born in the country of residence, reference; European Union-born nationals; non-EU born nationals; EU-born foreigners; non EU-born foreigners). The prevalence ratios of unmet needs according to immigrant status are obtained through sex-stratified robust Poisson regression models, sequentially adjusted by age, health status and socio-economic characteristics.

The prevalence of medical unmet needs, adjusted by age and health status, is higher in foreign women, both EU-born and non-EU born, but it is no longer significant after the socioeconomic adjustment. For dental unmet needs, the risk is significantly higher for all foreigners, EU and non EU-born, men and women. Once adjusted for socioeconomic variables significant inequalities persist, although diminished, for both EU-born and non-EU-born foreign men and EU-born foreign women.

This study contributes to the discussion of adequate access to healthcare systems and adaptation of services for migrants. While inequalities cannot be detected for naturalised immigrants, the higher risk of unmet need affecting foreigners, even within the EU, deserves further attention.

Keywords: unmet needs, health inequalities, migrant health, Europe

Suggested Citation

Guidi, Caterina and Palencia, Laia: and Ferrini, Silvia and Malmusi, Davide, Inequalities by Immigrant Status in Unmet Needs for Healthcare in Europe: The Role of Origin, Nationality and Economic Resources (October 1, 2016). Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies Research Paper No. RSCAS 2016/55, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2860634 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2860634

Caterina Guidi (Contact Author)

European University Institute - Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies (RSCAS) ( email )

Villa La Fonte, via delle Fontanelle 18
50016 San Domenico di Fiesole
Florence, Florence 50014
Italy

Laia: Palencia

Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona ( email )

Av. Príncep d'Astúries, 63 -
Barcelona, Barcelona 08012
Spain

Silvia Ferrini

University of East Anglia (UEA) - School of Environmental Sciences ( email )

Norwich, Norfolk
United Kingdom

Davide Malmusi

Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona ( email )

Av. Príncep d'Astúries, 63 -
Barcelona, Barcelona 08012
Spain

Carlos III Institute of Health - CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP)

Monforte de Lemos 5
Madrid
Spain

Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques Sant Pau

Spain

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