Forecasting access to health services of immigrant and Italian population: an analysis of proxy indicators in the 2001-2008 time period

Background Immigrant population has different access to health services in comparison to natives. This study is a time series analysis of hospitalization rates of immigrant and Italian populations and is aimed to support health planning and interventions. Methods An ecological study was performed from 2001 to 2008. Hospitalization rates for myocardial infarction, stroke, chronic hepatitis/cirrhosis, cervical cancer and mastectomy were chosen as a proxy of lifestyles and access to primary health care. Hospitalizations were requested to …