Is Health Care an Example of Inclusiveness or a Space of General Exclusion?

Exclusion in Health Care Using the Example of Disadvantaged Groups

Abstract

According to the Constitution of the Republic of Poland, every citizen has the right to health care. Unfortunately, some disadvantaged or minority groups have difficulties accessing a general practitioner, psychologist or other specialists in broader medical care. The article reviews scientific research on the issues outlined in the title using the following groups as examples: persons with a substance abuse disorder, the elderly, people with HIV or AIDS, immigrants, refugees and people from the LGBT community. For years, the World Health Organization has stressed that improving the health of members of socially excluded groups can improve the health of the entire population. However, there is still no program in Poland focusing on combating inequalities in the healthcare system. The article presents research results from other countries. Unfortunately, in Poland, there is still a lack of studies on minority groups, their access to the health care system, and the attitudes towards those groups of medical personnel.