The health of immigrants in Portugal

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this article is to present the major health problems of cultural diverse populations in Portugal, immigrant workers and their families, in the context of providing health services. Methods: A literature review was made, using relevant literature and online database, combined with the own researches, concerning health problems of immigrants, and their access to and their consumption of health care. Searches were limited to English, French, Spanish and Portuguese language-published research in the last eight years. Conclusions: Evidence shows that immigrants often experience many difficulties in accessing and using available health services, what makes them a group of health risk. Evidence also demonstrates that health problems, in immigrants, are the consequence of many different conditions: physical, psychological and, perhaps, above all, social conditions,which increase the risk of becoming ill. Care of immigrants involves not only, reducing risk and treating illness, but also providing social support to both patients and their families, in order to effectively reduce health disparities. So, the best approach would be the combination of measures that could, not only, reduce the consequences of the social stigmatization and exclusion of these population, providing information about their cultural characteristics, beliefs and values, but also implementing early identification and treatment of their health problems and promoting patient education, through programs that stimulate an healthier life style, especially in younger people. In the same way, to bridge the language barrier, the use of interpreters, or cultural mediators, appears to be important in promoting an effective doctor - patient communication and relationship. Finally, because health professionals still lack adequate knowledge of the cultural patternsand specific needs of this population, family physicians should undergo a specific training program to become aware of the relevance of patients different cultural background, to overcome stereotypes and to acquire information and competences on intercultural communication, to improve the quality of care of this population.