Addressing migrant-specific barriers to accessing health services through primary health care in host countries in Latin American and the Caribbean

Abstract

The Region of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is a culturally rich region marked by significant bio- and sociocultural diversity, including approximately 50 million Indigenous People. However, LAC faces deep inequalities and vast disparities between social development and economic progress, including in access to healthcare for migrant populations. Migration has historically always existed in the region with current movements characterized by a south-south pattern within LAC combined with a south-north pattern from LAC, moving towards North America. Furthermore, environmental degradation and climate change have increasingly contributed to a substantial rise in migration as well as health risks for migrants in the Region, and it is predicted to accelerate in coming years.