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Health care for undocumented immigrants during the early phase of the Covid-19 pandemic in Lombardy, Italy

Author/s
Devillanova C.,
Colombo C.,
Garofolo P.,
Spada A.
Year
Language
English
Document Type
Article
Source Title
European Journal of Public Health
Publisher
Oxford University Press

Description

Despite concern on the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on undocumented immigrants, quantitative evidence on the issue is scant. We analyze socioeconomic and health conditions of 1590 undocumented immigrants in Milan, Lombardy, one of the regions with the highest COVID-19 clinical burden in the world that does not guarantee access to primary care for these individuals. We document a sharp reduction in visit number after lockdown, with 16% frequency of acute respiratory infections, compatible with COVID-19. Moreover, housing conditions make it difficult to implement public health measures. Results suggest the need to foster primary care by undocumented immigrants to face COVID-19 emergency. © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association. All rights reserved.

Region/Country (by coverage)
Index Keywords

adult; age; epidemiology; health care delivery; health status; housing; human; Italy; middle aged; organization and management; pandemic; primary health care; sex factor; socioeconomics; undocumented immigrant; Adult; Age Factors; COVID-19; Health Services Accessibility; Health Status; Housing; Humans; Italy; Middle Aged; Pandemics; Primary Health Care; SARS-CoV-2; Sex Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Undocumented Immigrants