Jens Klein|Olaf von dem Knesebeck
Inequalities in health care utilization among migrants and non-migrants in Germany: a systematic review
University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf|Universität Hamburg|University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf|Universität Hamburg
despite growing number people migrant background germany systematic review utilization health care differences nonmigrant population lacking covering various sectors health care migrant populations review aimed giving general overview identifying special areas potential interventiona systematic review conducted pubmed database including records published 1st june 2017 criteria eligibility publication peerreviewed journal written english german language studies report quantitative original data population residing germany appropriateness studies judged authors studies excluded native controls originated sample moreover indicators health care utilization assess individual behaviour like consultation participation rates 63 studies met inclusion criteria qualitative synthesis findingsthe overall findings indicate lower utilization among migrants although results vary terms health care sector indicator health care utilization migrant population specialist care medication use therapist consultations counselling rehabilitation well disease prevention early cancer detection prevention programs children oral health checkups lower utilization among people migrant background found lower usage particularly shown migrants 1st generation people twosided migrant background childrenadolescents women due methodological heterogeneity metaanalysis feasible studies crosssectional causal interpretations could drawnthe inequalities utilization could substantially explained differences socioeconomic status reasons lower utilization could due differences need preferences information language formal access barriers eg charges waiting times travel distances lost wages different migrantspecific migrantsensitive strategies relevant address problem certain health care sectors migrant populationsthe review protocol registered prospero crd42014015162