Diabetes of « immigrants » in France

Policy to combat social inequalities in health or discrimination?

Abstract

Since 2010 in France, public health defined a target of “immigrants” to reduce social inequalities in diabetes mellitus. Based on an ethnographic work in hospital setting and a questionnaire survey, this article examines how these targeted actions interfere with the mechanisms leading to health inequalities. After analyzing the contours and meaning given to this category by the actors, the article returns to diffe- rent forms of differential treatments observed. The patient’s point of view highlights how these current policies paradoxically participate in manufacturing and reinforcing these inequalities.