3.1-O4Migration and the media in the UK: the effect on healthcare access for asylum seekers and refugees

Abstract

It has socio-economical, legal, financial and health consequences as well. The huge number of children is of great concern. They have been suffering from pneumonia (28.3%), diarrhoea (38.6%), malnutrition (4.3%), measles (611 cases) and so many other problems. An alarming situation is an outbreak of diphtheria with 4822 cases to date. Bangladesh was a polio free nation, but significant number of polio cases have been detected. Among adults, hypertension, diabetes, asthma, positive malaria tests (13,752) and unexplained fever (112,598). Displaced people had more traumatic events, and rates of mental disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder, depressive and anxiety disorders, substance abuse and antisocial activities. Many of the pregnant women had lost their babies. Of all the social determinants of health, the analysis of ethnicity is possibly the most complex. Female refugees and migrants frequently face specific challenges, particularly in maternal, newborn and child health, sexual and reproductive health, and more violence. Government started vaccination among the vulnerable group with MR, OPV, Vitamin A capsule, Cholera vaccine. 237,500 children have been immunised against measles and rubella. 900,000 doses of OPV have been administered in two rounds. 650,000 affected people have been vaccinated against cholera. Huge logistical efforts and manpower are required to provide health services to the Rohingya. A total of 147 static health centres (Government: 25, Army:10 and Non-Government: 112) have been established. The total number of physicians and support staff are 107 and 574 respectively. The total number in the vaccination team is 231 and there are 31 field ambulances. Sanitation and safe drinking water are always a problem in disaster situations. 450,000 people have been provided with access to safe drinking water, culturally appropriate latrines and key messages on hygiene. Furthermore, the number of casualties and deaths are important outcome too. There is growing recognition that discrimination creates and maintains social environments that are health-damaging for some population groups, and protective for others. While the health impacts of racism are increasingly recognised, less attention has been paid to examining how racism often occurs simultaneously with other forms of discrimination, such as sexism, ageism, and classism, to impact health and wellbeing. This presentation will report on the findings from two studies interrogating how experiences of multiple oppressions effect health in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Informed by critical research methodologies, the studies analyse data from two nationally representative surveys (the General Social Survey and Te Kupenga: Ma ¯ori Social Survey) to examine the prevalence and patterning of multiple forms of discrimination, and associations with measures of health and wellbeing. In conceptualising multiple discrimination, we recognise the primacy of racism within colonial contexts. We found Ma ¯ori (the indigenous peoples of Aotearoa/New Zealand) and other minoritised ethnic groups experience more racism, more other forms of discrimination and more multiple discriminations than the dominant NZ European ethnic group. Experience of multiple discrimination is associated with increased negative impacts on health. In contemporary colonial contexts, indigenous and minori-tised ethnic groups experience interlocking and re-occurring forms of discrimination. Better understanding of the complex pathways by which discrimination impacts health is critical to effectively intervening to address oppression as a global health determinant and driver of ethnic health inequities. 3.1-O4 Migration and the media in the UK: the effect on healthcare access for asylum seekers and refugees Purpose: In Scotland asylum seekers/refugees (ASR) are entitled to free healthcare, even if asylum is refused. Newspapers represent a powerful source of information for ASR, healthcare professionals and the public and may impact on the willingness of ASR to access care. Here we explore how discourses in newspapers affect ASR women's and healthcare workers' ideas of deservingness for healthcare. Theory: Candidacy theory. Methods: A five-year media analysis of eight UK newspapers. Thematic analysis explored reporting of migration/migrants and health. Qualitative interviews with ASR women and primary health-care staff explored how media portrayals affect them. Results: Migration was a constant presence in the UK media, with a set of the medias own 'truths' constructed about migration. These truths, often unfair, were internalised by ASR women, affecting their confidence in accessing services and disclosing their asylum status. All interviewees felt confused by the media portrayal of entitlement to healthcare. GPs felt that the media did not affect their care of ASR women but were aware of headlines and felt they influenced the attitudes of other patients. Background: Research on migration and health poses many benefits and knowledge on the health of foreign-born populations is needed on many levels. At the same time, this research is challenged by ethnocentricity, perpetuating negative stereotypes and damaging the social standing of the studied populations. Methods: The aim of this PhD thesis was to improve knowledge about the health of foreign-born populations that have migrated to Finland from Russia, Somalia, Iraq and Iran. The study seeks dialogue between social epidemiology and critical theories, primarily critical race theory, intersectionality and public health critical race praxis, with the ultimate goal of recognising health priorities among Russian, Somali and Kurdish origin populations in Finland without reinforcing stereotypes and social divisions.