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Evaluating Rural Health Disparities in Colombia: Identifying Barriers and Strategies to Advancing Refugee Health

Author

Listed:
  • John Diaz

    (Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Plant City, FL 33563, USA)

  • Isabel Taboada

    (College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA)

  • Adriana Abreu

    (College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA)

  • Lara Vargas

    (College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA)

  • Ysabel Polanco

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellin 050010, Antioquia, Colombia)

  • Alex Zorrilla

    (College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA)

  • Norman Beatty

    (College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
    Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA)

Abstract

Health disparities within rural communities, notably those affecting migrant and refugee populations, are well-documented. Refugees often grapple with high disease burdens and mortality rates due to limited access to primary healthcare and their vulnerable socio-economic and political situations. This issue is particularly acute in the rural areas around Medellin, Colombia, where the refugee influx exacerbates the existing public health challenges. Studies highlight a substantial gap between community needs and public health policies, resulting in inadequate healthcare access. Our study, utilizing the Delphi technique, aimed to identify common barriers and strategies to enhance rural healthcare for refugees. Through consensus-building with community leaders, we identified six primary barriers to healthcare access and five barriers to healthcare quality. Community leaders endorsed five strategies to address the access barriers and eight strategies to improve healthcare quality. This research provides valuable insights for optimizing resource allocation and designing effective support programs for these vulnerable populations.

Suggested Citation

  • John Diaz & Isabel Taboada & Adriana Abreu & Lara Vargas & Ysabel Polanco & Alex Zorrilla & Norman Beatty, 2023. "Evaluating Rural Health Disparities in Colombia: Identifying Barriers and Strategies to Advancing Refugee Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(20), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:20:p:6948-:d:1263753
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stefano Angeleri & Thérèse Murphy, 2023. "Parsing human rights, promoting health equity: reflections on Colombia’s response to Venezuelan migration," Medical Law Review, Oxford University Press, vol. 31(2), pages 187-204.
    2. Garcia-Subirats, Irene & Vargas, Ingrid & Mogollón-Pérez, Amparo Susana & De Paepe, Pierre & da Silva, Maria Rejane Ferreira & Unger, Jean Pierre & Vázquez, María Luisa, 2014. "Barriers in access to healthcare in countries with different health systems. A cross-sectional study in municipalities of central Colombia and north-eastern Brazil," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 204-213.
    3. Lustig, Nora & Tommasi, Mariano, 2020. "El COVID-19 y la protección social de los grupos pobres y vulnerables en América Latina: un marco conceptual," Revista CEPAL, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL), December.
    4. Few, Roger & Ramírez, Viviana & Armijos, Maria Teresa & Hernández, Lina Andrea Zambrano & Marsh, Hazel, 2021. "Moving with risk: Forced displacement and vulnerability to hazards in Colombia," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
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