Bridging Gaps in Migrant Healthcare: CUAMM's Experience from 13,103 Visits in Southern Italy

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Migrant Health
• Healthcare Access

Background:

• Agricultural migrant workers in rural Italy face severe health challenges due to poor living and working conditions.
• Limited access to healthcare is a critical issue for this population, exacerbated by systemic barriers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the health status of agricultural migrant workers.
• To explore systemic barriers hindering their access to healthcare.
• To assess the effectiveness of a mobile clinic model in providing care.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 13,103 medical visits from 2,537 unique patients over seven years (2017-2023).
• Data collected by Doctors with Africa (CUAMM) mobile clinics in 12 informal settlements.
• Statistical methods, including multivariate regression, were used to identify health trends and predictors.

Main Results:

• The patient population was primarily young adult males (83% aged 19-45, 95.8% male).
• Common health issues included musculoskeletal disorders (27.3%), respiratory infections (14.3%), and dermatological conditions (12.1%).
• Low rates of residence permits (18%) and general practitioner registration (7%) highlight significant barriers, yet patients averaged 5.6 follow-up visits, indicating trust.

Conclusions:

• Mobile clinics are crucial for bridging healthcare gaps for migrant workers, providing essential primary care, referrals, and guidance.
• Addressing labor exploitation, improving living conditions, and integrating flexible care models are imperative for equitable healthcare.
• Collaborative efforts among institutions, NGOs, and academia are vital to ensure sustainable healthcare for this marginalized group.