The World Health Organization (WHO) is reporting a major shift in how countries respond to the health needs of migrants and refugees, with new data showing more than 60 countries – two-thirds of those surveyed – now include them in their national health policies and laws.
Gathering data from 93 Member States, the report forms the first international framework for tracking progress towards inclusive, migration-responsive health systems.
Human migration is a defining feature of our shared history, driving cultural, social and economic developments across generations. Today, more than 1 billion people – more than 1 in 8 in the world – live as refugees or migrants.
Reasons for moving from conflict and disaster to economic opportunities, education or family needs. Yet many immigrants and refugees face barriers to access to care, risks of communicable and chronic diseases, mental health challenges, and unsafe living or working conditions.
“Refugees and refugees are not just recipients of care, they are also health workers, caregivers and community leaders,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization. “Health systems are only truly universal when they serve all. A new WHO report on the health of migrants and refugees shows that inclusion benefits the whole community and strengthens preparedness for future health challenges.”
Investing in the health of refugees and migrants offers many benefits. They support better social and economic integration, strengthen the resilience of health systems and strengthen global health security. Inclusive, immigration-responsive health systems reduce long-term costs by enabling healthy, well-integrated people to contribute fully to the communities in which they live.
The new “Global Report on Promoting the Health of Migrants and Migrants: Monitoring Progress in WHO’s Global Action Plan” shows that even in politically sensitive contexts, countries are increasingly relying on evidence, data, science, and established norms and standards to guide how migration and health are addressed in national health systems.
Case studies from all six WHO areas illustrate how progress can be made in practice – from expanding migrant health insurance coverage in Thailand, to the use of intercultural communication mediators in Belgium, and including migrant community representatives in decision-making about primary health care delivery in Chile.
Gaps remain
Despite progress, the report highlights persistent gaps:
- Only 37% of responding countries regularly collect, analyze and disseminate migration-related health data as part of national health information systems.
- Only 42% of refugees and migrants are included in emergency preparedness, disaster risk reduction or response plans;
- Fewer than 40% report training health workers in culturally responsive care for immigrants and refugees;
- Only 30% have implemented communication campaigns to combat misconceptions and discrimination about refugee and migrant health;
- Access is uneven: while refugees are generally more likely to access health services, migrants in irregular situations, internally displaced persons, migrant workers, and international students are less consistently covered; and
- Participation in governance is limited: refugees and migrants are underrepresented in health governance and decision-making processes in many countries.
The way forward
WHO welcomes the progress made and urges governments, partners and donors to accelerate progress:
- mainstreaming refugees and migrants into all national health policies, strategies and plans;
- strengthen the collection and use of routine, disaggregated migrant health data for planning and accountability;
- coordination in the areas of health, housing, education, employment and social security;
- tailoring strategies to the specific needs of different migrant subgroups, including those in irregular situations;
- meaningfully involve migrants and refugees in planning, governance and service design and delivery;
- training health workers in providing equitable, culturally sensitive care;
- combating misinformation and discrimination through evidence-informed action; and
- Protect and expand funding to secure development for all.
WHO will continue to support Member States to translate commitments into action, strengthen evidence-based, culturally responsive care and integrate refugees and migrants into resilient national health systems. At global, regional and country levels, WHO will continue to work closely with partners including the International Organization for Migration, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the World Bank to promote a coherent, rights-based approach to the health of refugees and migrants.
IOM became the first international organization to join the Global Digital Health Certification Network (GDHCN), a digital public infrastructure hosted by WHO that enables the certification of health documents across countries. The new collaboration is expected to help migrants securely access verifiable health records to support continuity of care across borders.
By becoming the first international organization to join the GDHCN, IOM emphasizes WHO’s leadership in leading the public health aspects of refugee and migrant health and in developing reliable, interoperable digital health systems that protect and empower people globally.
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