Survey finds immigrant patients face barriers in Finnish healthcare

By admin On Apr 18, 2025

Doctor’s appointment. LEHTIKUVA

One in three immigrants in Finland report not receiving enough doctor’s appointments to meet their health needs, according to a national survey. The findings raise concerns about access to care and equality in the country’s healthcare system.

The data comes from the MoniSuomi 2022 study by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). The survey, published in February 2024, analysed responses from 7,838 people born abroad or with foreign-born parents. It covered perceived health, access to services, and psychological well-being.

The proportion of immigrants reporting insufficient doctor’s appointments rose from 25 percent in 2018 to 33 percent in 2022. This compares with 25 percent among the general population. Access issues were more severe among immigrants from the Middle East and North Africa (43 percent) and from Russia and the former Soviet Union (36 percent).

The issue affected both genders. Among immigrant women, 34 percent reported insufficient access to doctors in 2022, up from 27 percent in 2018. For men, the figure rose from 23 to 33 percent. In comparison, 27 percent of women and 22 percent of men in the general population reported similar issues.

There were also regional disparities. In wellbeing services counties such as Helsinki, West Uusimaa, Satakunta, and Central Finland, immigrants more often reported insufficient medical services than the general population. In these areas, the proportion ranged between 31 and 38 percent.

The THL report also highlighted rising psychological distress among immigrants. In 2022, 23 percent of immigrants reported mental health concerns, up from 17 percent in 2018. The figures were higher than for the general population, where 18 percent reported distress. The increase was most pronounced among immigrants from the Middle East and North Africa, with 29 percent of men and 26 percent of women affected.

Men from Russia and the Soviet Union (24 percent), and Southeast Asia (24 percent) also showed increased rates of mental health concerns. Among women, those from Russia and the Soviet Union (26 percent), and from other European countries excluding Estonia and Russia (25 percent), reported more distress than their Finnish-born counterparts.

Age also played a role. Young adults aged 20–29 reported the highest levels of psychological distress, but older immigrants aged 50–74 also experienced more distress than their Finnish-born peers. In this age group, 19 percent of immigrant men and 23 percent of immigrant women reported psychological difficulties, compared with 11 and 12 percent among the general population.

Immigrants in some regions reported more distress than others. In North Ostrobothnia, Pirkanmaa, Central Finland, and the Vantaa–Kerava area, psychological distress among immigrants was significantly higher than in the general population.

The MoniSuomi 2022 survey used a stratified sample of 18,600 individuals, drawn from Finland’s population register. The questionnaire was available in 20 languages, and 44 percent of those contacted responded. The survey was conducted between September 2022 and March 2023.

Sedeer el-Showk, writing for Yle, noted that national registers in Finland do not collect ethnic data. Instead, surveys rely on proxies such as country of birth or language spoken at home. THL researchers acknowledge this limitation, which makes it difficult to fully quantify racial discrimination in healthcare settings.

The THL findings support earlier concerns about unequal treatment. Immigrants were also more likely to report facing discrimination in social and health services due to gender or income (9 percent versus 4 percent in the general population).

THL officials say the information will be used to guide public policy and improve healthcare planning. The data also contribute to the national monitoring of integration and service equality.

Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi