The Migratory Phenomenon in Italy- Access to Health Services

Immigration in Italy is a relatively recent phenomenon, with which our country has had to face starting from the early 70s. It has grown so much that the migratory flows recorded in the last decade are the highest in the history of our nation 1, which ranks among the top immigration country in Europe, after Spain and Germany. The migration process is a phenomenon affecting the policies to be adopted in the host countries, to protect and guarantee fundamental rights for migrants. In this context, the WHO (World Health Organization) states that there is a need, not only to facilitate and promote access to health care of foreigners, but also to ensure adequate foreign assistance to the user, by encouraging language and cultural skills of health workers 2.