In the immigrant-absorbing countries migrants are regularly confronted with manifold forms of segregation and exclusion. This is also true of the health care system, thus impeding it in its humanitarian goals. One must try to understand why there should be a traditional tendency to encourage segregation. Among the reasons are explicit rejection of migration as such, poor understanding of other peoples, fear of infectious diseases and rising health care costs. In addition a misunderstanding of the integration process plays an important role. What is necessary is, firstly, a realistic view of the world-wide process of migration which inevitably affects the rich industrial nations and secondly, respect for ethnic identity instead of an out-dated concept of assimilation.

Migration Health of migrants Segregation and exclusion

Prejudice Acculturation Germany health status public opinion Emigration and Immigration Review infection health care system altruism mass screening ethnology Communication population migration health care cost Health Services Accessibility Humans National Health Programs