International Workshop "Latin American Migrant Health-Seeking Behaviours in Europe" Concludes With a List of Priorities for Social Research

The workshop "Latin American Migrant Health-Seeking Behaviours in Europe" was held in Barcelona on 23 and 24 May 2012. It was organised by ISGlobal through its research arm, CRESIB, in collaboration with the Catalan Public Health Agency and the Fundació Clínic. More than 30 experts in qualitative social sciences attended from important European institutions, including the International Organisation for Migration, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the University of Barcelona, the Centre for Social Science and Global Health at the University of Amsterdam, the Centre for International Health at the University of Bologna, the University of Bradford, the Occupational Health Research Centre at the Pompeu Fabra University, and CRESIB.

For two full days, attendees shared their qualitative research in the field of the health status of Latin American migrants in Europe and discussed the methodological obstacles they face. The outcome of the workshop was a list of key areas and specific research topics that need addressing in this field.

The workshop was held within the framework of the COHEMI project, whose objective is to foster greater coordination efforts for a better understanding of the cultural and social factors that influence the health behaviours of Latin American migrants in Europe. It is part of a programme developed to achieve a greater understanding of the full migration cycle and how this affects healthcare services in Europe and Latin America. The overall aim is to recommend policies that will address priority aspects of health and disease in the migrant population.