The general public often has misconceptions based on false perceptions about migrants and refugees. In many cases, such misconceptions are found at local level, where tensions exist between the local population and migrants/refugees.
In view of the above described picture, the CARE project provided communication campaigns addressed to the general public at the local level, based on targeted information material aimed at reducing existing misconceptions and combating stereotypes on public health issues.
Furthermore, information material was provided to inform migrants and refugees about their right to access healthcare. Health literacy materials were translated into the main languages spoken by migrants and refugees, in order to ensure that the information reaches the widest possible audience.
Preparation of information material to reduce the misconceptions about migrants in local population was the main objective of the first WP 7 activity. Inventory of information publicly available (leaflets, other published material, communication campaigns, internet- based information) about migration and refugee issues for local population was created.
The approaches were compared and benchmarked within and between participating countries in order to set up information material suitable to support education and awareness campaigns in MS. It was addressed to the general population, with particular attention to people living in areas with large numbers of migrants and refugees either in transit (as it is the case of Greek islands, Balkan migration route etc.) or on temporary or permanent stay in order to combat stereotypes related to the perceived health threats expressed by locals of the massive migrant/refugee inflow.
A general recognition of relevant experiences and practices to increase health literacy of migrants in regards to the access to health care services is required. Different National health care system organizations were studied and potential barriers to health care access were considered and discussed with partners as well as good examples of migrants’ empowerment on this issue underlined. Consequently, information material for migrants in regard to health care access in different Countries (Italy, Greece, Malta, Croatia, and Slovenia) was produced. The material was delivered into the migrants’ centres and in relevant health access points.
Empowerment of migrants in health care accession
- Inventory on existing experiences and practices in informing and empowering migrants about the access to health care.
- Literature review on best practices informing migrant about accession to health care.
- Assessment of country specific legislation and information about availability, financing and rights to health care for migrants.
- Information material about health care access for migrants in English applicable to national legislation of Italy, Greece, Malta, Croatia and Slovenia.
- Translation to migrants’ languages and delivery of information material about health care access for migrants into the migrants’ centres and to relevant health access points.