Measures to protect and promote the health of immigrants in Spain.

Abstract

After a review of the present demographic conditions of Spain, country that according the international and Spanish organisations need the arrival to Spain between 240.000 to 100.000 immigrant workers by year, the author, Expert and Consultant of the World Health Organisation in Africa and Europe, is engaged with the health aspects of the immigrant workers in Spain, begining with the imported diseases from their native countries and those contracted in Spain, specially work accidents, more frequent among immigrants. The pathology of adaptation chiefly is made for psychosomatic disorders, on account of the unknown of the Spanish language. The culture and the religion of the inmigrants are other important causes of inadaptation. The Spanish people may see the immigrant workers as a welfare factor. The immigrant people may be considered as a health high risk population. So, the examination for the prevention and promotion of their health are necessary at their arrival in Spain and during their stay, specially for tuberculosis, venereal diseases and psycosomatic troubles. The education on health and the correct use of the health services of Spain are of big importance for the good health of immigrant workers.