What explains the inequalities in health care utilization between immigrants and non-migrants in Switzerland?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Inequalities in health care use between immigrants and non-migrants are an important issue in many countries, with potentially negative effects on population health and welfare. The aim of this study is to understand the factors that explain these inequalities in Switzerland, a country with one of the highest percentages of foreign-born population.

Methods

Using health survey data, we compare non-migrants to four immigrant groups, differentiating between first- and second-generation immigrants, and culturally different and similar immigrants. To retrieve the relative contribution of each inequality-associated factor, we apply a non-linear decomposition method and categorize the factors into demographic, socio-economic, health insurance and health status factors.

SUBMITTER: Tzogiou C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7977586 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature