University of Bremen to Enhance Oncology Health Information for Migrants
Patients and their relatives with a migration background often have difficulty gaining access to important information and services due to language and cultural barriers in the healthcare system. The “DivO-Inform” project aims to specifically improve the conditions for healthcare for people with a migration background in Germany. The focus is on oncological care, i.e. the care of patients during cancer treatment.
Professor Birte Berger-Höger from the University of Bremen explains the goal of the DivO-Inform project: “Our focus is on developing and testing a concept that creates and disseminates diversity-friendly health information that takes into account the specific needs and preferences of people with a migration background . We see this as an important measure to improve health care, particularly in the area of supportive therapies in oncology, which play an important role in the treatment of cancer patients.”
Supportive therapy includes procedures that reduce the acute and late effects of cancer treatment. In addition to drug therapies against side effects, the treatment methods include psychological care, nutritional concepts and exercise programs.
The project also aims to create diversity-friendly health information, available in different languages and formats, to ensure that it is easily accessible and adequately addresses patient needs and preferences.
Project leader Professor Anke Steckelberg from the University Medical Center Halle explains: “Our goal is to improve health care for people with a migration background in oncology by specifically addressing their needs and preferences. By developing diversity-friendly health information, we want to ensure that this population group has access to the information and resources she needs to make informed decisions about her health.”
Collaboration with the Charité and migration organizations
The “DivO-Inform” project is carried out in close collaboration with Professor Julia Lühnen from the Charité Berlin and the State Network of Migrant Organizations Saxony-Anhalt (LAMSA eV). Mamad Mohamad from LAMSA eV emphasizes: “Ensuring comprehensive health care for all population groups is important crucial importance. Through our project we can help ensure that the needs, challenges and preferences of people with a migration background are appropriately taken into account. The provision of health information must be effective and barrier-free to ensure that language barriers do not restrict participation in the healthcare system.”
The project runs until June 30, 2025 and is funded by the German Cancer Aid.