PD 01 - Migration and Refugee Health

More people are on the move now than ever before. There are an estimated 1 billion migrants in the world today of whom 258 million are international migrants and 763 million internal migrants – one in seven of the world’s population. 65 million of the world’s internal and international migrants are forcibly displaced today. This rapid increase of population movement has important public health implications, and therefore requires an adequate response from the health sector. Challenges to migrant health can be attributed to many factors, including lack of access to health services, absence of financial protection, and discrimination.

Although the number of people seeking refuge is the highest in developing countries, the rapid increase of refugees to Europe over the past two years has altered the political landscape and will have a lasting impact for many years to come. During this politically turbulent time, the health of refugees must continue to be viewed as important to governments worldwide. New strategies and ways to support migrant health must be discussed and based on ratified international human rights standards.