Emergency Department as an epidemiological observatory of Human Mobility. The case of Rome Metropolitan Area (EMAHM). A descriptive analysis of the visits to the ED of the Northern African population

This study focuses on the analysis of Big Data obtained from the Emergency Departments (EDs) of five hospitals located in the metropolitan area of Rome, Italy. The analysis of ICD9-CM discharge diagnoses shows clear differences between the Italian population and the North African population and confirms that many of the dynamics and health conditions regarding migrants are due to the inappropriate use of health services and, eventually, of the EDs. Our results afford indication about how we could identify shortcomings and critical issues within the primary care system and, more generally, in the management of psycho-social and socio-economic support for immigrant populations.