Active Health:
Strategies for improved access to healthcare for immigrants

The State of Berlin has adopted a Master Plan Health together with the State of Brandenburg, with the strategic aims to utilise and improve the growth potential of health as an economic and location factor. This includes improved access to healthcare for everyone. Citizens with a migration background are often disadvantaged in this area. The project “Active Health” opened up a new perspective: the idea is to inspire more people with a migration background to enter the health profession. They could then act as multipliers and role models in their living environments. In addition, the intercultural opening in healthcare is supported.

“Active Health” was designed for the wider public. Particular attention was paid to the diversity of advocates who worked together in the project.

“Active Health” combined a variety of initiatives to create a powerful campaign. Network and open-space workshops were the platform for establishing contacts and an exchange of actors. Discussions helped to involve actors at the decision-making level.

“Active Health” provided valuable support for the multipliers: six examples of good practice on intercultural opening and training opportunities are models for imitation. With the strategic council in charge, a policy paper with seven essential policy recommendations was developed and brought into political discussion. The ambassadors, a group of young immigrants from Berlin, who are learning or working in health professions and are engaged in voluntary work, e.g. for vocational information days at schools, are the project’s most important result.

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