Healthcare utilization patterns among migrant populations: Increased readmissions suggest poorer access. A population-wide retrospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Equal access to health ensures that all citizens, regardless of socio-economic status, can achieve optimal health, leading to a more productive, equitable, and resilient society. Yet, migrant populations were frequently observed to have lower access to health. The reasons for this are not entirely clear and may include language barriers, a lack of knowledge of the healthcare system, and selective migration (a "healthy migrant" effect).

Objective

To examine differences in hospital utilization and readmission rates between Austrian and non-Austrian populations using nationwide hospital claims data, with the aim of disentangling the effects of potential barriers to healthcare access.

Methods

Here, we use extensive medical claims data from Austria (13 million h

SUBMITTER: Dervic E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12747196 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature