Health policies for international migrants: A comparison between Mexico and Colombia

Bojorquez‐Chapela, Ietza; Flórez-García, Victor; Calderón-Villarreal, Alhelí; Fernández-Niño, Julián Alfredo

doi:10.1016/j.hpopen.2020.100003

Cited by 18 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Diverse barriers were identified, as migrants often reported a lack of information since they usually were unaware of where to ask for attention or the facility location, were avoiding the police, did not have financial resources, or were discriminated against because of their migratory status [51]. Another source of inequities is the implementation gap of health-related policies and access to the health care system in countries, such as Colombia and Mexico, which recently started receiving growing intra-regional immigration fluxes, and migratory status ends up conditioning access [52]. Similarly, the bureaucratic process, high cost, and poor intersectoral coordination in Costa Rica have led to regularization difficulties for Nicaraguan migrants, thus impeding them from obtaining health insurance.…”

Section: Explanation Of the Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unequal Access and Use of Health Care Services among Settled Immigrants, Recent Immigrants, and Locals: A Comparative Analysis of a Nationally Representative Survey in Chile

Oyarte

Cabieses

Rada

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Globally, and particularly in the Latin American region, international migration continues to grow. Access and use of health care services by migrants vary according to their country of origin and residence time. We aimed to compare the access and use of health care services between international migrants (including settled migrants from Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador; Emerging migrants from Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Haiti; and migrants from other countries) and the Chilean population. After performing a secondary data analysis of population-based nationally representative surveys (CASEN 2011–2017), access and use patterns (insurance, complementary insurance, non-consultation, and non-treatment coverage) were described and compared among settled immigrants, recent emerging immigrants, others, and locals. Immigrants had a significantly higher uninsured population compared to locals. Specifically, in CASEN 2017, 19.27% of emerging (95% CI: 15.3–24.1%), 11.79% of settled (95% CI: 10.1–13.7%), and 2.25% of locals (95% CI: 2.1–2.4%) were uninsured. After 2013, settled and recent emerging migrants showed higher percentages of non-consultation. Collaborative and interculturally relevant strategies from human rights and equity perspectives are needed. Initiatives with a particular focus on recent immigrants can contribute to reducing the existing disparities in health care access and use with locals due to lack of insurance and treatment coverage.

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Section: Explanation Of the Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unequal Access and Use of Health Care Services among Settled Immigrants, Recent Immigrants, and Locals: A Comparative Analysis of a Nationally Representative Survey in Chile

Oyarte

Cabieses

Rada

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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show abstract

“…All over the world, migrants face barriers to healthcare (Abubakar et al, 2018). In Mexico, migrant health policies have traditionally addressed the needs of Mexican migrants with minimal attention to the needs of in-transit migrants or asylum seekers (Bojorquez-Chapela, Flórez-García, Calderón-Villarreal, & Fernández-Niño, 2020). If access to mental health care is difficult for the general population (Berenzon Gorn, Saavedra Solano, Medina-Mora Icaza, Aparicio Basaurí, & Galván Reyes, 2013), it is even more so for migrants.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychosocial and mental health during the COVID-19 lockdown: A rapid qualitative study in migrant shelters at the Mexico-United States border

2021

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Introduction. Migrants could be at increased risk of the psychosocial and mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Research is needed to assess their needs and the most useful interventions in this regard. Objective. To describe the mental health consequences of the pandemic and lockdown measures among migrants living in shelters in Tijuana, Mexico, during the COVID-19 pandemic, barriers to mental healthcare during this period, and the key elements of psychosocial support provided by civil society organizations (CSOs), as described by shelters’ staff. Method. In April-May 2020, we conducted a rapid qualitative study through interviews with persons providing services at eight migrant shelters, complementing the information with data from an ongoing ethnographic project. We situated the results within the levels of the United Nations’ Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) pyramid of psychosocial and mental health support. Results. In addition to fear of contagion and economic insecurity, migrants experienced emotional distress associated with hardening migration policies, and the difficulties of having to find shelter in place in non-private spaces. Some CSOs continued or adapted previous psychosocial support activities, helping migrants navigate these issues, but other activities stopped amidst physical distancing measures and because of limited resources. Migrants themselves implemented some group activities. There was a surge of civil society initiatives of online support, but some shelters laeked the technological and other resources to benefit from them. Discussion and conclusion. Migrants require a tailor made response to their mental health needs in the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the one provided by CSOs.

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“…It is relevant to specify the health context that precedes it: a deficient and inequitable health system, which has resulted in disparities in access to and quality of public medical care, particularly for migrants (Stoesslé et al , 2020). The global health crisis has exhibited the lack of migration governance in Mexico and in the region; while shedding light on the living conditions of migrants and their lack of access to health regarding the nonmigrant population (Bojorquez-Chapela et al , 2020; COLEF, 2020).…”

Section: The Human Right To Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Right to health for undocumented migrants in Mexico: from theory to practice in the context of the health system reform

Stoesslé

González-Salazar

2021

IJMHSC

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Purpose Undocumented Central American migrants in Mexico are legally eligible for free access to the public health system through the new Instituto para la Salud y el Bienestar (INSABI) health program, but many experience structural vulnerability and stigmatization that prevent them from accessing health-care facilities. The purpose of this study is to investigate the discrepancy between the migrants’ Human Right to health, proclaimed by the Mexican Government and supposedly guaranteed by law, and the reality of the migration process. Design/methodology/approach This study reviewed relevant literature on the health risk factors, social and structural vulnerability, stigmatization and structural violence experienced by undocumented migrants as obstacles to their Human Right to health. It also reviews the current legal framework in Mexico and internationally. Findings This review demonstrates the lack of implementation of the current legal framework in Mexico and identifies a set of complex obstacles to effective access to health for undocumented migrants. Although the migration process itself was not found to be directly associated with major health issues, the social conditions of the migratory journey expose the migrants to serious threats, especially sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis. Practical implications This paper makes 10 practical recommendations for interventions collectively involving the state, international and civil organizations and the migrant community. These are especially relevant since the implementation of the INSABI health program in 2020. Social implications The paper lays the basis for influencing Mexican health system stakeholders to improve the health of migrants. Originality/value The sociological barriers to health access for undocumented populations in Mexico have not been fully explored. In addition, this paper provides a unique reflection on opportunities and challenges linked to the 2020 health system reform.

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Health policies for international migrants: A comparison between Mexico and Colombia

Cited by 18 publications

References 14 publications

Unequal Access and Use of Health Care Services among Settled Immigrants, Recent Immigrants, and Locals: A Comparative Analysis of a Nationally Representative Survey in Chile

Unequal Access and Use of Health Care Services among Settled Immigrants, Recent Immigrants, and Locals: A Comparative Analysis of a Nationally Representative Survey in Chile

Psychosocial and mental health during the COVID-19 lockdown: A rapid qualitative study in migrant shelters at the Mexico-United States border

Right to health for undocumented migrants in Mexico: from theory to practice in the context of the health system reform

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