Eastern European population health issues in UK

Introduction

The health issues faced by Eastern European populations in the UK are multifaceted, involving both physical and mental health challenges. These issues are influenced by a variety of factors including socioeconomic conditions, cultural differences, and access to healthcare services. This synthesis aims to provide a cohesive overview of the key health concerns and barriers faced by Eastern European migrants in the UK, based on multiple research studies.

Key Insights

Socioeconomic Determinants of Health:
- Eastern European migrants in the UK are disproportionately affected by poor or insecure housing, low pay, isolation, and prejudice, which contribute to their poor physical and mental health .
Healthcare Access and Utilization:
- There is a high level of dissatisfaction and distrust in General Practitioners (GPs) among Eastern European migrants. They often perceive GPs as unhelpful, dismissive, and reluctant to prescribe necessary medications, which leads to frustration and a lack of trust in the healthcare system .
- Many Eastern European migrants are not registered for primary care, which further complicates their access to necessary health services.
Physical Health Concerns:
- Eastern European migrants are at higher risk for certain physical health conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, strokes, and HIV. These risks are compounded by high rates of smoking, alcohol use, and poor diet .
- Maternal and infant health issues are prevalent, with higher rates of smoking during pregnancy and poor dietary habits contributing to increased infant mortality rates.
Mental Health Issues:
- The mental health of Eastern European migrants is often poor, exacerbated by factors such as social disintegration, crime, and psychosocial stress .
Cultural and Social Barriers:
- Cultural barriers, including discrimination and differing health beliefs, significantly impact the health and healthcare experiences of Eastern European migrants. These barriers often lead to a lack of engagement with health services and poor health outcomes .
Sexual Health Risks:
- Eastern European migrants report higher rates of behaviors associated with increased risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as higher partner acquisition rates and injecting drug use. However, they also report more consistent condom use compared to the general population.

Conclusion

Eastern European migrants in the UK face significant health challenges influenced by socioeconomic conditions, cultural barriers, and issues with healthcare access and utilization. They are at higher risk for various physical and mental health conditions, and their dissatisfaction with the healthcare system further exacerbates these issues. Addressing these health concerns requires targeted interventions that consider the unique socioeconomic and cultural contexts of this population. Improving access to healthcare, promoting self-care, and reducing cultural barriers are essential steps towards better health outcomes for Eastern European migrants in the UK.

Eastern European population health issues in UK

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

The perceptions of general practice among Central and Eastern Europeans in the United Kingdom: A systematic scoping review

UK Central and Eastern Europeans face social determinants of poor health, and their health and healthcare beliefs remain under-researched, particularly in primary care.

“Always paracetamol, they give them paracetamol for everything”: a qualitative study examining Eastern European migrants’ experiences of the UK health service

Eastern European migrants in the UK have high dissatisfaction with general practitioners, deeming them unhelpful, a barrier to secondary care, and often advised to take paracetamol and rest.

Public health in central and eastern Europe and the role of environmental pollution.

Central and eastern European countries have experienced a decline in public health since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, with factors such as poverty, social disintegration, crime, and environmental pollution contributing to the decline.

Sexual and HIV risk behaviour in Central and Eastern European migrants in London

CEE migrants in London exhibit high rates of sexual behaviors associated with increased risk of HIV/STI acquisition and transmission, but also report more consistent condom use and lower STI diagnoses.

Health status in east European countries.

East European countries have significantly lower life expectancy and mortality rates compared to Western European countries and the United States, highlighting the need for health care reforms in these countries.

Health in Eastern Europe

Eastern European mortality rates have increased or remained unchanged since the mid-1960s, particularly in middle aged and elderly men, highlighting the need for policy makers to address this poor health record.

Strategic challenges in upgrading the population’s health in the transition countries of South Eastern Europe

The Forum for Public Health in South Eastern Europe (FPH-SEE) aims to improve public health in the region by addressing challenges like outdated hygienic traditions, overstaffing, and outmigration, while promoting health promotion and modern participative management.

Maternal and infant health of Eastern Europeans in Bradford, UK: a qualitative study.

Eastern European migrants in Bradford face poor maternal and infant health, increased infant mortality rates, and cultural barriers to health services, highlighting the need for improved health care provision.

Understanding how Eastern European migrants use and experience UK health services: a systematic scoping review

Eastern European migrants in the UK face barriers in accessing healthcare due to limited understanding of the healthcare system and language difficulties.

Inequalities in Healthy Life Expectancy in Eastern Europe

Disparities in healthy life expectancy between East Central Europe and the former Soviet Union exist, with corruption, restriction of freedom, and violence leading to fewer years in good health.

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