The health of Britain's Polish migrants: a suitable case for history taking and examination.

摘要

In 2004 eight new countries (the A8) were admitted into the European Union (EU), allowing their citizens full rights of settlement and employment in the UK. Initial estimates by the Labour government were that between 5000 and 13 000 people would migrate to the UK, which proved a gross underestimate. Although exact population data is difficult to obtain precisely because of free movement, it is estimated that at least 2 million have actually done so, around half this number from Poland alone. This migration has had a significant impact on both the UK and the migrants themselves, including their health. Little has been published about health issues affecting the Polish community, which begs the question: what does the piecemeal evidence so far suggest? In short, it is cause for concern.