The health of recent migrants from resource-poor countries

The care of people who have recently migrated from resource-poor countries requires careful consideration by healthcare providers. Innovative approaches are called for to reduce the significant inequalities in health compared with UK-born and long-term migrant populations. Primary care physicians are best positioned to improve the early diagnosis of imported infections such as tuberculosis, HIV, malaria, hepatitis and enteric infections, thus avoiding the high cost of emergency presentations with advanced disease. Culturally sensitive approaches are required when managing stigmatizing diseases. Common non-communicable conditions and psychiatric morbidity should not be overlooked. Pregnant women who have recently entered the country are at risk of worse birth outcomes. A significant number of people are denied free UK National Health Service care despite their entitlement, or they do not seek it owing to a lack of awareness of their right to care; increased familiarity among healthcare workers with current recommendations may help to minimize disparities in access to care.