The WHO report is based on data collected from 93 countries and will serve as the foundation for the first global database that will track progress in creating inclusive health systems focused on migrants.
Historically, migration has been an important factor in the cultural, social, and economic development of humanity. Today, more than one billion people, or one in eight residents of the planet, are in the status of refugees or migrants. The reasons for their movement vary from wars and natural disasters to the pursuit of education, employment, or reunification with loved ones.
However, many migrants face serious barriers to accessing medical care, leading to an increased risk of infectious and chronic diseases, as well as mental health issues and unsafe living and working conditions.
"Health systems can only be considered truly comprehensive when they provide access for all," he noted. The new WHO report emphasizes that inclusive approaches benefit society as a whole and enhance readiness for future health challenges.
The Global Report on the Health of Refugees and Migrants demonstrates that when developing migration and health policies, countries are increasingly guided by scientific data and international standards. Examples from all six WHO regions illustrate successful practices, such as expanding health insurance for migrants in Thailand, using cultural mediators in Belgium, and involving migrant communities in decision-making regarding primary healthcare in Chile.
Despite overall progress, the report points out existing gaps. Only one-third of countries regularly collect and analyze data on the health of migrants within their national systems. Less than half of them include refugees and migrants in emergency preparedness plans.
Training healthcare workers to work with cultural differences among patients remains limited, and information campaigns against misinformation and discrimination are implemented only in certain countries. Access to medical services remains uneven: refugees are more likely to receive assistance, while internally displaced persons, labor migrants, and foreign students face significant restrictions. The participation of migrants and refugees in health governance processes remains extremely limited.
WHO recommends the following measures:
- integrate refugees and migrants into national strategies;
- improve the quality of data collection and use;
- strengthen intersectoral collaboration;
- adapt approaches to the specific needs of different groups of migrants;
- expand the participation of migrants themselves in planning and management, as well as combat misinformation.
