European Journal of Public Health
Volume 27, Issue 5, 2017, Pages 861-868

Avoidable hospitalization among migrants and ethnic minority groups: A systematic review (Article) (Open Access)

Dalla Zuanna T. , Spadea T. , Milana M. , Petrelli A. , Cacciani L. , Simonato L. , Canova C.*
  • a Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
  • b Epidemiology Unit, Regione Piemonte, Grugliasco (TO)ASL TO3, Italy
  • c Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
  • d National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP), Rome, Italy
  • e Lazio Regional Health Service, Department of Epidemiology, Rome, Italy
  • f Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
  • g Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Via Loredan, 18, Padova, 35131, Italy

Abstract

Background The numbers of migrants living in Europe are growing rapidly, and has become essential to assess their access to primary health care (PHC). Avoidable Hospitalization (AH) rates can reflect differences across migrant and ethnic minority groups in the performance of PHC. We aimed to conduct a systematic review of all published studies on AH comparing separately migrants with natives or different racial/ethnic groups, in Europe and elsewhere. Methods We ran a systematic search for original articles indexed in primary electronic databases on AH among migrants or ethnic minorities. Studies presenting AH rates and/or rate ratios between at least two different ethnic minority groups or between migrants and natives were included. Results Of the 35 papers considered in the review, 28 (80%) were conducted in the United States, 4 in New Zealand, 2 in Australia, 1 in Singapore, and none in Europe. Most of the studies (91%) used a cross-sectional design. The exposure variable was defined in almost all articles by ethnicity, race, or a combination of the two; country of birth was only used in one Australian study. Most of the studies found significant differences in overall AH rates, with minorities (mainly Black and Hispanics) showing higher rates than non-Hispanic Whites. Conclusions AH has been used, mostly in the US, to compare different racial/ethnic groups, while it has never been used in Europe to assess migrants' access to PHC. Studies comparing AH rates between migrants and natives in European settings can be helpful in filling this lack of evidence. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

hospitalization Australia Europe minority group human middle aged statistics and numerical data comparative study Aged Cross-Sectional Studies United States Young Adult cross-sectional study Humans Adolescent Minority Groups Infant, Newborn male female Aged, 80 and over preschool child very elderly Infant Child, Preschool newborn adult migration New Zealand Singapore Transients and Migrants Health Services Accessibility health care delivery Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85030786609&doi=10.1093%2feurpub%2fckx113&partnerID=40&md5=76e3b057dd7d5e9f0dc3e4c9ac422d77
DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckx113
ISSN: 11011262
Cited by: 4
Original Language: English