Patrick Cloos
Scientific Series: May 2, 2024
What can be said about the links between precarious migratory status and health status? Discussion of a cross-sectional study of migrants without medical insurance, Montreal.
The aim of this presentation is to discuss the social determinants of the perceived health of precarious-status migrants without medical insurance. Between June 2016 and September 2017, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of uninsured international migrants in Montreal. We met and interviewed 806 migrants in various spaces across the city, and through a snowball strategy and media advertisements. The questionnaire covered socio-demographic, socio-economic and psychosocial characteristics, social determinants, health needs and access to healthcare, as well as health perception. In our study, almost half of migrants without health insurance perceived their health negatively. Our study also suggests a high rate of unmet healthcare needs among migrants with precarious status, a situation that correlates with poor health perception. Measures need to be put in place to guarantee access to resources and social care and services for all migrants, with or without authorized status.
At the end of this session, participants will:
Understand the notion of precarious migratory status.
Understand the links between migration status, medical insurance and health status.
Understand why migratory status can be seen as a determinant of health and thus contribute to social inequalities in health.
Dr. Patrick Cloos is a professor at the School of Social Work and the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Université de Montréal. His courses focus on health and the environment. Before joining the academic field, PC practiced emergency medicine in hospital and humanitarian settings for Médecins sans frontières in several regions of the world, notably in wartime. He was also Director of Public Health in Dominica (West Indies). His doctoral thesis was completed as part of an interdisciplinary program in the social sciences, and focused on public health and racism. PC is currently involved in several global health studies. In particular, he is conducting research into the links between climate change, migration and health in the Caribbean.