Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine
Volume 15, Issue 9, 2014, Pages 683-692

Cardiovascular health in migrants: Current status and issues for prevention. A collaborative multidisciplinary task force report (Article)

Modesti P.A.* , Bianchi S. , Borghi C. , Cameli M. , Capasso G. , Ceriello A. , Ciccone M.M. , Germanò G. , Maiello M. , Muiesan M.L. , Novo S. , Padeletti L. , Palmiero P. , Pillon S. , Rotella C.M. , Saba P.S. , Scicchitano P. , Trimarco B. , Volpe M. , Pedrinelli R. , Di Biase M.
  • a Department of Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
  • b Department of Medicina Interna, Nefrologia e Dialisi, Ospedali Riuniti di Livorno, Livorno, Italy
  • c Department of Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, S.Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
  • d Department of Malattie Cardiovascolari, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
  • e Department of Nephrology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
  • f Institute d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
  • g Department of Emergenza e Dei Trapianti d'Organo DETO, Sezione di Malattie dell'Apparato Cardiovascolare, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
  • h Department of Scienze Cardiovascolari, Respiratorie, Geriatriche e Nefrologiche, University 'La Sapienza', Rome, Italy
  • i AS Department of Cardiology, Brindisi District, Italy
  • j Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
  • k Division of Cardiology, Dipartimanto di Medicina Interna, Malattie Cardiovascolari e Nefrourologiche, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
  • l Department of Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
  • m Division of Cardiology, ASL BR, Brindisi, Italy
  • n UOD Telemedicina, Dipartimento Cardiovascolare, A.O.San Camillo-Forlanini, Rome, Italy
  • o Division of Cardiology, Department of Fisiopatologia Clinica - Sezione di Endocrinologia, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
  • p Division of Cardiology, AOU Sassari, Sassari, Italy
  • q Department of Emergenza e Dei Trapianti d'Organo DETO, Sezione di Malattie dell'Apparato Cardiovascolare, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
  • r Department of Emergenza e Dei Trapianti d'Organo DETO, Sezione di Malattie dell'Apparato Cardiovascolare, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
  • s Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicina Clinica e Molecolare, Facoltà di Medicina e Psicologia Università di Roma 'Sapienza', Rome, Italy
  • t Department Cardio Toracico e Vascolare, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
  • u Department of Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To review information on cardiovascular health and migration, to stress the attention of researchers that much needs to be done in the collection of sound data in Italy and to allow policy makers identifying this issue as an important public health concern. BACKGROUND: In Italy, the rate of immigrants in the total number of residents increased from 2.5% in 1990 to 7.4% in 2010, and currently exceeds 10% in regions such as Lombardia, Emilia Romagna and Toscana. METHODS: A consensus statement was developed by approaching relevant Italian national scientific societies involved in cardiovascular prevention. Task force members were identified by the president and/or the boards of each relevant scientific society or working group, as appropriate. To obtain a widespread consensus, drafts were merged and distributed to the scientific societies for local evaluation and revision by as many experts as possible. The ensuing final draft was finally approved by scientific societies. RESULTS: In several western European countries, the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, obesity and metabolic syndrome was found to be higher among immigrants than in the native population. Although migrants are often initially healthier than non-migrant populations in their host countries, genetic factors, and changing environments with lifestyle changes, social exclusion and insufficient medical control may expose them to health challenges. Cultural reasons may also hamper both the dissemination of prevention strategies and migrant communication with healthcare providers. However, great diversity exists across and within different groups of migrants, making generalizations very difficult and many countries do not collect registry or survey data for migrant's health. CONCLUSIONS: In the present economic context, the European Union is placing great attention to improve data collection for migrant health and to support the implementation of specific prevention policies aimed at limiting the future burden of cardiovascular and renal disease, and the consequent load for health systems. Wider initiatives on the topic are awaited in Italy. Copyright © Italian Federation of Cardiology.

Author Keywords

Global health Ethnic migrant Ethnicity minorities cardiovascular risk Immigration

Index Keywords

statistics and numerical data diabetes mellitus male obesity female health status kidney disease Humans consensus development Transients and Migrants ethnology Europe Cardiovascular Diseases Kidney Diseases human epidemiology migration Overweight
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84905828194&doi=10.2459%2fJCM.0000000000000069&partnerID=40&md5=4a76852f0f67585d19567edd4e0367aa
DOI: 10.2459/JCM.0000000000000069
ISSN: 15582027
Cited by: 20
Original Language: English