International Journal of Health Services
Volume 46, Issue 2, 2016, Pages 241-261

Restricting access to health care to immigrants in Barcelona: A mixed-methods study with immigrants who have experienced an infectious disease (Article)

Castano J.* , Ospina J.E. , Caylà J.A. , Greer S.L.
  • a University of Michigan, School of Public Health, 2122 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Apt. 803, Washington, DC 20008, United States
  • b University of Michigan, School of Public Health, 2122 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Apt. 803, Washington, DC 20008, United States
  • c University of Michigan, School of Public Health, 2122 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Apt. 803, Washington, DC 20008, United States
  • d University of Michigan, School of Public Health, 2122 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Apt. 803, Washington, DC 20008, United States

Abstract

Austerity policies implemented in Spain in response to the ongoing economic crisis may have detrimental consequences for the health of immigrant populations and for public health in general. A mixed-methods study by the Public Health Agency of Barcelona and the University of Michigan indicates that the Real Decreto-ley 16/2012 (RDL) threatens the health of individuals and the population, especially in the case of infectious diseases. The study sought to determine the percentage of foreign-born persons with an infectious disease who had an Individual Health Card (IHC) prior to the RDL and to determine whether foreign-born persons with an infectious disease in Barcelona encountered problems accessing health care after the RDL. Results indicate that immigrants used the IHC to seek medical attention for infectious diseases and chronic conditions. Results also show that 66% of respondents, including 54% of unemployed respondents, 3% of respondents working without contracts, and those in informal employment (9%), may be at risk of losing at least part of their health coverage. Universal health care access in Spain has been crucial for the control of communicable diseases among immigrant populations. Reducing access to a significant percentage of the total population may have deleterious effects on public health. © The Author(s) 2016.

Author Keywords

Health care access Immigrant health Universal health care Health Infectious diseases health policy Public health agency of Barcelona Austerity policies in Spain Individual Health Card Real decreto-ley 16/2012

Index Keywords

Catalonia immigrant health care policy infectious disease Economic Recession human epidemiology Communicable Diseases middle aged Surveys and Questionnaires Humans migrant Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants Spain female financial crisis accessibility hospital sector questionnaire health care legislation and jurisprudence Barcelona [Catalonia] adult Health Policy employment Health Services Accessibility public health health care delivery immigrant population
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84974704956&doi=10.1177%2f0020731416637174&partnerID=40&md5=5f602b1a3babe7deb55f152e94b91faa
DOI: 10.1177/0020731416637174
ISSN: 00207314
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English