Addressing migrant-specific barriers to accessing health services through primary health care in host countries in Latin American and the Caribbean

Lancet Reg Health Am. 2024 Nov 30:40:100957. doi: 10.1016/j.lana.2024.100957. eCollection 2024 Dec.

Abstract

The Region of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is a culturally rich region marked by significant bio- and sociocultural diversity, including approximately 50 million Indigenous People. However, LAC faces deep inequalities and vast disparities between social development and economic progress, including in access to healthcare for migrant populations. Migration has historically always existed in the region with current movements characterized by a south-south pattern within LAC combined with a south-north pattern from LAC, moving towards North America. Furthermore, environmental degradation and climate change have increasingly contributed to a substantial rise in migration as well as health risks for migrants in the Region, and it is predicted to accelerate in coming years.

Keywords: Access barriers; Health; Health systems; Latin America; Migration; Policy; Primary health care; Social determinants; Xenophobia and discrimination.

Publication types

  • Review